Rupinder 3, Britain 1

Rookie drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh fired in a hat-trick as India made amends of their first match loss with a convincing 3-1 victory over Britain in the Azlan Shah tournament.
Young Rupinder, who was included in the squad due to the absence of penalty corner specialist Sandeep Singh, struck in the 10th, 54th and 57th minutes to give depending champions India the upper hand against a strong Britain who played a nearly full-strength side.

With the win, India, who had come here without at least half a dozen senior players, bounced back in style after going down to South Korea 2-3 in the opener.

India junior team regular member Rupinder, who had featured in a few internationals with the senior side last year, sent three low drag-flicks to sound the board of the opposition goal.

India, who dominated the midfield, converted three of the five penalty corners they earned in the match and led 3-0 before Britain pulled one goal back through James Tindall in the 62nd minute.

At the other end, Indian goalkeeper Bharat Chhetri padded away three penalty corner shots as the defenders rushed out to narrow the angle for the British strikers.

India increased the lead midway through the second session when Rupinder found the mark with a low push into the goal past the outstretched pads of the custodian in the 55th minute.

Two minutes later Rupinder completed his hat-trick, this time directing the drag-flick into the right side of the board as the goalkeeper moved to the other corner in anticipation of the shot.

India then went into the defensive to hold the lead, allowing Britain mid-field space. Tindall found the target in the 62nd minute off a cross from the right. He also got another chance but shot wide past the bewildered Indian goalkeeper.

Pak edge past South Korea

Asian Games gold medallists Pakistan scored thrice in the final 10 minutes to edge past defending champions South Korea 4-2. Trailing 1-2 until the 60th minute, Pakistan went all out and succeeded in breaching the Korean defence thrice.