Adrian heroics keep Aussies at bay

India rallied to hold world and Olympic champion Australia to a 1-1 draw, riding on Adrian D’ Souza’s brilliant goalkeeping in their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup match here on Sunday. India’s defence showed frayed nerves throughout the encounter but the defending champions managed to emerge with a 1-1 draw. Jacob Whetton (14th minute) and Rupinder Pal Singh (22nd minute) were the ones who hit on target in the exciting match.

The 1-1 score-line will give satisfaction to the Indians, coming in the first encounter with Australia after the 8-0 drubbing in the final of the CWG in New Delhi seven months ago.

Like India, the Australian lineup was also without half a dozen players from the senior squad, but the Aussies maintained complete domination in the initial 15 minutes of play, when India just managed to make one foray into the rival territory.

India’s defence seemed to create pressure on themselves, but they still hung on to keep the score level. The sustained pressure earned Australia the lead in the 14th minute when Jacob Whetton sent a firm drive into the boards moving across from the right wing. India first had a look at the rival goal in the 19th minute, when Shivendra Singh found himself in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, but his feeble shot was easily cleared.

India equalised on their maiden penalty corner in the 22nd minute, which was awarded for Jonathan Charlesworth’s foul on Ravipal Singh to stop him form breaking into the scoring zone. Rupinder Pal Singh continued his fine show, following up his hat-trick against Britain with a fine grounded drag-flick that beat the goalkeeper.

The Indian defenders conceded two penalty corners in the space of four minutes, but D’Souza defended stoutly to pad away the balls, once anticipating the set-piece to thwart the pass back to striker who came in from the goalline. India had another opening in the 31st minute, but Shivendra failed to capitalise on Rishan Minz’s cross from right.

Australia forced two more penalty corners in the second session, the last one in the 65th minute when Rupinder was sent off for a foul, but they failed to get past goalkeeper D’Souza.

Australia got a clear look at the Indian goal in the 50th minute when Turner picked up a misdirected pass between Indian defenders and squared the ball to Jason Wilson who shot wide.

England stumps Pakistan

Jonathan Clarke struck twice as Britain defeated Pakistan 3-2 to put their campaign back on track while South Korea and New Zealand played out a 2-2 draw in Sunday’s other matches.