India stun world champs
Ipoh (Malaysia), May 10: Defending champions India put on a fighting display to beat world champions Australia 4-3 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Monday, scoring their first win over the Aussies in seven years.
Forward Tushar Khandker made his international debut in that 2003 match in Sydney, and in the northern Malaysian city of Ipoh he scored two goals in the 4-3 win, keeping the team at the top of the standings with 10 points.
India took the lead in the 19th from a field goal by Khandker, and three minutes later skipper Rajpal Singh made it 2-0. They then went 3-0 up in the 33rd minute when Khandker managed to slot home from close range.
But in a see-sawing exchange, the Australians scored twice — Trent Milton (38th) and Christopher Ciriello (40th) — in the first five minutes of the second half, allowing them back into the game.
Australia tried hard for an equaliser but in a sudden counter-attack India increased their lead with Singh scoring in the 61st minute.
Mark Peterson scored the third goal for the Australians in the 69th minute but it was not enough to deny India the three points.
Indian assistant coach Harendra Singh praised the players for keeping their cool and sticking to the game plan.
“It is a good morale-boosting win and we must build on it. We are still not fluid enough but with greater work we can get there,” he said.
“We have two more matches to go and we will try to win and make the final.” South Korea put themselves back in contention for a place in the final when they defeated China 5-3.
The win gave the Koreans seven points from four matches and their remaining fixtures are against Australia on Thursday followed by Pakistan on Saturday.
Later, Malaysia blanked Egypt 5-0. Azlan Misron struck a brace, while Faisal Saari, Mohamed Amin Rahim and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin netted one apiece.
India take on Malaysia after a rest day on Tuesday, followed by Egypt on Thursday. — AFP