India clawed its way from two goals down to defeat New Zealand 3-2 in an exciting semifinal in men’s hockey competition at the Glasgow hockey centre here on Saturday.
Starting with trepidation in the absence of its regular captain and midfielder, Sardar Singh, who was serving a one-match suspension, the Indian side looked to be in all sorts of trouble what with its midfield unable to deliver and its defensive shield shaky.
With the Kiwis taking advantage, the side was in the arrears soon when Simon Child scored off a reverse shot into the unguarded Indian net after Hugo Inglis collided with goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh. The Indians went for a video referral but it was rejected.
Manpreet Singh of India, right, gets the ball ahead of Phill Burrows of New Zealand during their men's semifinal hockey match. Photo: AP
New Zealand increased its lead midway through, this time off a penalty corner. Nick Haig finished past Rupinder Singh off a second attempt after the Indian stopper had blocked his initial drag flick.
With Manpreet and Dharamvir doing well in the midfield, India was finally able to stage a comeback. It reduced the margin after Raghunath was denied a goal by Dean Couzins blocking the conversion with his body. The resultant stroke was converted by Rupinder.
India gave a good account of itself right through the second-half creating chances aplenty by tormenting the rival defence time and again.
The equaliser came in the 42nd when Ramandeep Singh deflected a Manpreet pass with a brilliant touch beyond Manchester.
Having gained momentum, India continued with its attack and was rewarded five minutes later as Akashdeep Singh pounced on the ball in the circle before shooting it into the top corner of the rival goal with a reverse flick.
The results (semifinals):
India 3 (Rupinder 28, Ramandeep 42, Akashdeep 47) bt New Zealand 2 (Child 2, Haig 18).
Australia 4 (White 3, Orchard 11, Cirello 62, Ockenden 70) bt England 1 (Martin 52).
