India draws China 1-1

Sloppy India scored a goal a few seconds before the hooter to salvage a point against China in the opening match of the Azlan Shah Cup here in Ipoh.

India was struggling throughout in the match after conceding a goal in the 13th minute. Just when 17 seconds remained for the hooter, recalled player Ravi Pal Singh scored the equalizer much to the relief of the whole team.

The Indians are to be blamed for the show, as they missed chances, including five penalty corners.

“We had only one drag flicker in the line up today. Rupinder Pal Sing was rested. We tried different combination which did not work”, reasoned Clarence Lobo who attended post match press conference.

Chinese forward Sun Tianjun scored the first goal in the 13th minutes. China also did not do well in the penalty corner department, wasting all the ones they got.

Chinese dominated the first half, with clever change of positions. In the frontline Sun Tianjun, who was later adjudged as the Man of the Match, combined well with wingers, especially the bald headed, fleet-footed Men Jun to create enormous opportunity for their side.

Initially, goalie PR Sreejesh warded off many close calls, and he oozed confidence, which was broken when the Chinese were able to connect a cross from right.

India, to be fair, tried new faces, and gave them amble time on the field as well.

Mandeep Antil, Amit Prabhakar and Vikas Pillay did not disappoint, giving their best. Tushar, now playiing as a forward unlike the linkman job he did in the recent World Cup combined well in the second half with Shivender, but they missed what looked like a simple goals. On a couple of occasions, either of them were wrongly footed to make use of crosses that came their way.

Midway through the second half India came in a big way with entire team playing in the others half. It paid dividends only at the fag end, when Ravi Pal put it across one for the team.