Final score: India 4 Canada 4 in the third test match

Despite Indian ace Sandeep Singh’s fluent hat-trick in the first half, and the team leading 3-1 at half time, the hosts Canada fought back gallantly to tie the third test at a honourable 4-4 score.

Canada scored its last two goals late in the second half.

Details

India were held to a 4-4 draw by Canada in the 3rd men’s hockey Test at Tamanawis Park, Surrey, Vancouver today.

India who led 3-1 at half time blew away Sandeep Singh’s four penalty corner goals advantage in the final three minutes with Canada firing thrice past a leaky defence.

Sandeep Singh scored with his characteristic dragflicks in the 9th, 18th, 31st and 45th minutes. The Canadian goal scorers were Scott Tupper and Rob Short in the 2nd and 66th minutes, while Mark Pearson found the mark twice in the 68th and 70th minutes.

Canada broke into the lead after an Indian infringement inside the striking circle led to a penalty corner which Tupper converted.

Sandeep Singh got the Indians the equaliser in the ninth minute after Scott Sandison fouled winger Rajpal Singh.

India kept up the pace and engineered numerous attacks on their rivals with good co-ordination and robust play from the midfielders, skipper Tushar Khandker, Gurbaj Singh and Dhananjay Mahadik. There were swift substitutions in the forward line amongst Rajpal Singh, Shivendra Singh, Roshan Minz, Prabhjot Singh, Gurwinder Chandi and Sarwanjit Singh.

India struck again in the 18th minute when Shivendra was roughly tackled on the twenty five yard area by Gabbar Singh. Sandeep sent in a crisp flick in the top right corner past Canada goalkeeper David Carter.

There was no stopping the Indians as Sandeep again found the mark in the 31st minute after Roshan Minz got a defenders foot to give them a 3-1 half time lead.

Upon resumption of play in the second half, Canada blew away a few penalty corner and open chances when Tupper, Wayne Fernandes, Mark Pearson and Pereira could not slot past Indian goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza.

India should have increased their tally but Rajpal Singh shot over with a reverse from close range.

They did not have to wait long however as Sandeep Singh cracked in the fourth goal after another penalty corner which resulted from a beautiful move from Arjun Halappa and Prabhjot Singh in the 45th minute.

Thereafter India tended to lose concentration and lost possession in one to one situations.

Canada encashed on these lapses grabbing all opportunities to reply with three goals in as many minutes. There were unforced errors from the Indian defence who failed to clear the ball out of their danger area.

The second Canada goal came as a result of a penalty corner in the 66th minute by Rob Short.

Bouyed by this success, the Canadians seized the initiative when Pearson scored the third goal, only to repeat the feat at the stroke of full time with a top of the circle rasper.

The fourth Test will be played here on Friday with India leading the seven match series 2-0.