The Tribune: India win but end disappointing
Beat Ireland 4-1 to finish fifth in six-team tourney; Oz champs
A resilient India defeated Ireland 4-1 to finish a disappointing fifth at the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.
The win enabled India to avenge their 2-3 loss against the same opponents in the last round-robin match yesterday.
For India, Varun Kumar (5th, 32nd minutes) scored a brace, while Shilanand Lakra (28th) and Gurjant Singh (37th) found the net once each.
Ireland’s lone goal came from the stick of Julian Dale in the 48th minute.
India earned back-to-back penalty corners in the fifth minute. Though the first attempt was saved, Varun sounded the board from the second chance to hand his side the lead.
India continued their attacking game in the second quarter and achieved success in the 28th minute when Lakra beat Ireland goalkeeper Jamie Carr from close range after being fed by Nilam Sanjeep Xess’s pass from the right side of the circle.
India won another penalty corner in the 32nd minute and Varun scored with a fierce dragflick past Carr to help India take a comfortable 3-0 lead.
India’s next goal came off Gurjant’s stick in the 37th minute. It was crafted brilliantly by Talwinder Singh, who received a good pass from Simranjeet Singh and laid it up for Gurjant. The young striker from Punjab made no mistake in slotting the ball home.
Though India conceded a goal in the 48th minute, the team’s defence remained resolute throughout the match, restricting Ireland’s number of circle entries. India earned a penalty corner in the 50th minute and another one in the dying minutes of the match, but failed to make use of both the opportunities.