After leading 2-0, India go down 2-3

India paid the price of a listless show in defence as they squandered a two-goal advantage and went down 2-3 to South Korea to begin their Azlan Shah campaign on a losing note.

The double defending champions were leading 2-0 till the 31st minute when the South Koreans, the joint champions with India last year, pierced open the Indian defence with their brisk pace to begin the fightback before pumping in three goals.

India, outright winners of the Azlan Shah Cup in 2009 and joint champions in 2010, failed to match the speed of the Korean side, who at one stage were reduced to nine players after the referee flashed green cards to two players following their vehement protest, resulting to their temporary suspension.

It was South Korea who forced an early penalty corner in the eighth minute but Hong Eun-Song shot wide. India took the lead in the 20th minute from their first penalty corner with Diwakar Ram sounding the board after Dhananjay Mahadik squared the ball to him.

Asian Games champions Pakistan defeated New Zealand 4-2 for a facile victory. Enjoying dominance against New Zealand, Pakistan opened the scoring in the third minute through Muhammad Rizwan Senior before Kashif Shah increasing the lead. Then Abdul Haseem Khan struck as they led 3-0 in the 51st minute. Pakistan’s defence came under pressure when the New Zealanders forced a string of penalty corners, and succeeded in scoring their first goal on their fifth penalty corner through a low drag flick by Andrew Hayward in the 59th minute.

Pakistan shot back within two minutes to increase the lead through Umar Bhutta but New Zealand reduced the margin in the 63rd minute on a fine counter by Hugo Inglis.