Thaindian News

Ipoh (Malaysia), May 6 (IANS) Rupinder Pal Singh’s drag-flicked hat-trick steered India past Britain 3-1 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey here Friday.

In the other match of the day, Asian Games champions Pakistan rallied after falling in arrears twice to beat South Korea 4-2 for their second victory in the tournament. Pakistan slotted three goals in the last seven minutes. They beat New Zealand by an identical margin on the opening day Thursday.

Korea, who fought back to down India 3-2, and Britain, who beat Malaysia 3-1, in their opening games, found the going tough Friday as their opponents raised their game.

India were more forthright as they scored all their three goals — 10th, 55th and 57th minutes — before the painstakingly industrious British reduced the margin 13 minutes from the end.

India were strategically superior as they slowed down the pace after scoring their goals. They used the flanks to stretch the British defence.

Rupinder, a junior India international who found a berth in the squad in the absence of regular defenders Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh, swept through to flick all his three goals from penalty-corners, giving little chance to the goalkeeper.

Rupinder scored the first goal with a clean drag-flick, but he could not convert the second one when Gurbaj Singh on the right flank earned another penalty corner.

Britain had their chances to equalise but an outstanding Bharat Chetri in the goal was too good to thwart their attempts. And when Chetri was beaten once by Richard Mantell’s strike, Vikas Pillay covered for him.

Then, in two minutes, Rupinder scored twice and India were right on top.

James Tindall reduced the deficit, but this time India were alert to the danger and made sure nothing untoward happened in the last quarter of the game.

Pakistan dominated the opening minutes of their match, but it was Korea who scored first, from their second penalty corner, Hyun Hya-sung converting it.

Pakistan, after squandering two penalty corners, equalised through veteran striker Rehan Butt in the 21st minute.

Korea earned two penalty corners in the space of a minute in the second half and Sung scored his second goal from the second one.

A desperate Pakistan attacked in waves and yet did not get a clear shot at goal. It was left up to penalty-corner specialist veteran Sohail Abbas to level scores in the 61st minute.

Two minutes later, Abdul Haseem Khan slotted home (3-2)and as Pakistan continued to attack a Pakistani goal looked imminent. It eventually came through Waqas Akbar from their fourth penalty corner.

India will take on Australia Sunday while Pakistan play Britain.