Azlan Shah Hockey: India, England split points

New Delhi: India wasted plenty of chances to settle for a 1-1 draw against England in their second match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Sunday.

These were India’s first point in the tournament after the 2-3 loss to Olympic champions Argentina in their tournament opener on Saturday.

Young Shilanand Larka (14th minute) scored his first international goal in the dying minutes of the first quarter to give India the lead, which the Men in Blue maintained till the 53rd minute before Mark Gleghorne converted a penalty stroke.

Last year’s bronze medallists India are now placed fourth in the table in the six-team tournament.

India, who have fielded a young and inexperienced team in the tournament under Sardar Singh’s leadership, only had themselves to blame as they wasted as many as nine penalty corners besides a few scoring chances from the field.

India were slow to get off the blocks as England put pressure with continuous raids. But India took the lead against the run of play a minute before the first quarter when Shilanand pounced on a rebound after Talwinder Singh’s initial shot was saved by England goalkeeper Harry Gibson.

Seven minutes from the hooter, England were awarded a penalty stroke for a stick infringement inside the circle and Gleghorne converted with ease past goalkeeper Krishan B. Pathak.

In the day’s other matches, Argentina defeated Ireland 5-3 and Australia got past Malaysia 3-1.