New Indian Express: After Pakistan High, India Suffer Kiwi Setback

IPOH:The conditions were so hot the turf was watered first at around 2.30 pm. The first match wasn’t due for another 90 minutes but the weather — temperatures hovering at close to 38 degrees Celsius for the majority of the afternoon — meant the turf had to be watered for four more times before the match even started.

It was difficult for players of both teams but New Zealand — playing in their third 4 o’clock match — mastered the conditions to edge past India 2-1 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Wednesday.

The Indian team, who will now have to beat Malaysia in their last group game on Friday to qualify for the final, lost goalkeeper Akash Chikte in the warm-up after a ball struck him near the clavicle area. This was Harjot Singh’s chance to get back into Roelant Oltmans’ good books but he fluffed his chance. He was casual and wasn’t commanding enough to do his job when called upon.

It was the Black Sticks who took the lead through Kane Russell courtesy of a short corner before Mandeep Singh restored parity. Both sides had chances before Nick Wilson converted from close range after a goalmouth scramble in the third quarter.

Speaking after the match, Oltmans said his team still had fate in their own hands with regards to qualifying for the final. “This is a good lesson for us. It’s nice to beat Pakistan but it’s not as if the tournament is over once you beat Pakistan. But we still have everything in our own hands. Disappointed with the result but learned a lot with respect to the process of where we are at.”

The Dutch coach also congratulated the Kiwis for playing three back-to-back matches under the sun. “Respect for New Zealand to have played three matches in those conditions. We were not able to show what we showed in the last couple of matches. We were not able to bring the same level of energy.” An important ingredient they cannot do without, if they are to quell Malaysia’s challenge in the final group match.

Wednesday’s results: New Zealand 2-1 India, Australia 3-1 Japan, Malaysia 1-0 Pakistan.