In an evenly played encounter, India survived anxious moments before sharing points equally with fighting Ireland in the opening match of the Round 3 of Hockey World League.
India took lead twice, but the Irish, fast on feet and perfect in finish, did not allow those momentary luxuries to last. They were even leading 4-3 at 64th minute when Rupinder converted a penalty corner to bring parity.
Its Akashdeep Singh, who gave India the lead early in the first half, but two subsequent goals by the Meredith’s boys, Alan Sothern and Paul Gleghorne, ended up 1-2 at half time.
On change of sides, Rupinder Sigh — he played most part compared to Sandeep Singh — made use of second penalty corner to level the score (2-2).
Shivender Singh, today’s birthday boy, deflected in style a long, straight midfield through pass to give India again lead (3-2), but ten minutes later when Raghu and Gurmail messes up an easy clearance on the rival’s D edge, Irish got their first PC and Conor Harte left the score gap even out.
It was in the 57th minute. Within six minutes, Andrew McConnel struck the goal of the match, which left goalie Sreejesh flabbergasted; he trapped a diagonal from 25-yard.
And then Rupinder equalized in the 66th minute (4-4). India passed out the rest of time with lot of difficulty as the Irish easily made number of penetration in to the circle in that spell.
Over all its a good game, with the edge going to Irish.