Sandeep Singh does an Aslam to rescue India from marauding Africans
Sandeep Singh rescued India with a last minute penalty corner goal as the second test went 2-1 in their favour for the hosts.
The vastly improved visitors deserved a draw if not a win.
Unlike yesterday the visitors were not jaded or disjointed, but were purposeful in their thrust, keeping Indian defence on defence.
The Africans rattled India in the second half, even got three penalty corners in succession, but could not send the ball inside the net. Regular goalie-captain Bharat Chetri was in particular in his elements, which later even drew applaud from the rival team’s coach.
Just two minutes were left the match to end when the worried Michael Nobbs made three substitutions including that of Sandeep Singh.
The ace defender, who today played upfront in sync with the coach’s policy of all-position hockey, got a godsend to save the test when his team mates got him a timely penalty corner.
Though India wasted two penalty corner before, it did not mess up this one, as, for a change, the pushed was was stopped dead. (Later the team told that side of the circle area is bumpy).
Sandeep Singh sent the ball into the corner of the net, and threw his hands up. Like Aslam Sher Khan — who converted timely penalty corner in the 1975 World Cup in the dying moments of the semifinal — this act saved India from the blues today.
India went up 1-0 two minutes before the half-time.
Youngster Chingelnsana Singh entering the goal scorer list fed by defender-turned forward Sandeep Singh.
The lead survived just 10 minutes. Louw Lance replied in style in the 43rd minute through a field goal after a counter attack.
India was lucky to survive many attacks of India in the second half. This session witnessed a full-pledged brand of attacking hockey, entertaining the sparse crowd.
In the end, Sandeep Singh made this day memorable with his last gasp goal.
For India which used to concede goals in the dying moments, today was different.
With two wins in as many as matches, India is poised to win the Series early.
Wednesday is rest day for Men while women resume their series against Azerbaijan.