INDIA GETS KIWI POLISHNew Zealand came back from being down three times in the match against India to record a 7-3 win at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Ipoh. It was the biggest margin of victory ever recorded by New Zealand in an international match against India in their 65 meetings, dating back to 1935. Prior to this, the wins by New Zealand over India were one goal margins, except for the match in Antwerp in 2007 where New Zealand won 2-0. The defeat put paid to any hopes India had of making the final and New Zealand can make Sunday’s final if they defeat Australia in their last preliminary round match on Saturday, with Pakistan and Great Britain losing.
India took the lead in the 20th minute. Ravipal made a 40 - yard defence splitting pass that allowed Sunil Sowmarpet a clear run at goal. As he picked up the ball, Sunil hit it on the run, and it went through the pads of New Zealand keeper Kyle Pontifex. But New Zealand were back on level terms in the 24th minute as Nicholas Wilson was given all the time in the world to turn and pick a spot to put the ball past Bharat Chetri. Gurwinder Singh Chandi was on target from a cross by Roshan Minz in the 26th minute to give India a 2-1 lead.
However the lead was short-lived as six minutes later Blair Hilton put the Kiwis on level terms. Gurwinder Chandi scored India’s third in the 41st minute, making a run on the right before coolly lifting the ball past the onrushing Pontifex. And once again the Kiwi’s were back on level terms. Andrew Hayward finding the mark from a penalty corner, the first of the match, in the 46th minute, to make it 3-3.
New Zealand went ahead for the first time in the match in the 52nd minute, converting another penalty corner, this time Matt L’huillier getting his name on the scoresheet. Andrew Hayward scored his second, and New Zealand’s fifth in the 57th minute, putting the finishing touches to a neat set piece. And India were shattered as they were down 3-5. And in the very next minute India went further behind as Diwakar lost possession in the semi circle to allow Shay Neal to score the sixth goal for New Zealand.
Blair Hilton scored in the 64th minute to make it 7-3 and India’s humiliation was complete.
Text/Foto: www.azlanshahcup.com
