India miss final berth despite draw

India came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Pakistan but missed the bus for the final of the tri-nation hockey tournament, here Tuesday. Pakistan set up the title clash against Australia on the virtue of a better goal difference. India, who needed an outright win to qualifiy for the final, will play for bronze against Australia A.
How Pak made final

Pakistan had a goal difference of minus six compared to Indian’s minus eight to make it to the final.

After conceding an early goal to Pakistan, India’s young sensation Yuvraj Walmiki scored the equaliser in the 26th minute.

India created enough moves to move the scoreboard further but its forwards were found wanting in the circle.

Pakistan went ahead straight away in the second minute of the game after Indian defence conceded an easy penalty corner. Veteran Sohail Abbas showed his class, sending his hard push to the right of Indian goalkeeper-captain Bharat Chhetri.

India got fair chances to equalise but Sandeep Singh could not convert that. He took India’s first two penalty corners in the seventh and eighth minute only to see Imran Shah rising to the occasions.

The rival goalie Imran first palmed away the high flick of Sandeep, and covered the angle at which Vikram aimed his rebound shot.