Ipoh (Malaysia), Apr 30:
Defender Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners as India stamped their authority over New Zealand with an assertive 3-0 victory in the 26th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here today.
Following a 2-2 draw against Great Britain in the opening game yesterday, India now have four points from two outings.
Mandeep Singh opened the Indian account with a fine deflection in the 23rd minute before Harmanpreet produced two fine drag-flicks to penetrate the Black Sticks defence.
After allowing the experimental New Zealand team to have three shots at the goal in the first quarter, the Indian team settled down to dominate the match thereafter.
The Indian game today was not disturbed by the afternoon showers and lightening, which have been a feature of the tropical weather this season.
India’s tournament-opener yesterday started two hours late due to lightening, pushing the day’s entire schedule back.
Today, the first signs of match-disrupting lightening occurred soon after the Indian players went off the pitch on completion of their game.
It was New Zealand, who earned the first penalty corner in the sixth minute, but it could not pose any danger as the low shot went straight to goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, who kicked it out of the circle.(PTI)
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