Thaindian News

Surrey (Canada), Oct 17 (IANS) India defeated Canada 2-0 in the fourth hockey test at
at Tamanawis Park here.

Vikram Pillay (22nd minute) and Rajpal Singh (38th) were the scorers for India Friday.

India now lead 3-0 in the seven match series. The third match was a draw.

India put up a dominating display with good midfield coordination backed by an alert defence.

Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh effected some brave saves from penalty corners and open play to deny the Canadians any goal.

Hosts Canada began the match on an attacking mode using their flanks with long passes resulting in three early penalty corners which were blocked by Sreejesh.

India were awarded a penalty stroke in the 22nd minute and Pillay converted the spot push to the left of goalkeeper Matt Peck to give India the lead.

India earned two penalty corners shortly after the goal. The ball was not stopped cleanly in the first, Sandeep Singh flicked the second wide.

India could have scored again just before half time but Tushar Khandekar missed narrowly in the packed Canadian circle.

India got their second goal in the 38th minute when Prabhjot Singh picked up the ball from the sideline just inside the Canada half and dribbled his way to the quarter line past three defenders before setting up winger Rajpal Singh. The powerful forehand unleashed by Rajpal from the edge of the circle brooked no answer.