New Zealand v India match report Auckland 1 March
Full time: India 2 New Zealand 0
Half time: 0 – 0
Goal scorers : India – Sandeep Singh, Dilip Tirkey
India took out the four test series against the Black Sticks Men, at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium, Pakuranga, today with a well deserved 2 – 0 victory.
The Indians stepped up once again in the second half after a controversial finish to the first half during which neither side could break the 0 – 0 deadlock.
New Zealand was awarded a stroke with two minutes to play after the ball hit an Indian body, stopping a certain goal. The Indians successfully appealed on the grounds that the ball had hit a New Zealand foot earlier.
A 16 yard hit was awarded to the Indians much to the consternation of the parochial New Zealand crowd.
India played a little one dimensionally in the first half, and New Zealand’s cover defence was equal to their attacks. Stephen Graham once again made some crucial saves in goal.
The second half was a different story however with India picking up the pressure. Dilip Tirkey nailed a penalty corner strike in the 43rd minute as the umpire calls continued to go against the Black Sticks.
From there the Indians opened up the game and were spectacular on the counter attack. Expert drag flicker Sandeep Singh scored the match sealer in the 67th minute finding the top left of the goal with apparent ease.
Inexperience showed at times in the New Zealand side, with too many players guilty of turnovers which the polished Indians capitalized from.
Young keeper Stephen Graham continued to develop for New Zealand in goal and made some excellent saves. Brad Shaw was reliable at left half and Wellington striker Joel Baker had a good game up front.
Source: New Zealand HF website