Azlan Shah Hockey: India blank New Zealand to get bronze

Ipoh (Malaysia): Rupinderpal Singh converted two penalty corners as India outclassed New Zealand 4-0 to take bronze at the 26th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here on Saturday.

Rupinderpal sent identical ground drag-flicks into the corner past New Zealand goalkeeper Richard Joyce’s outstretched right hand in the 17th and 27th minutes.

S.V. Sunil then scored his first goal of the tournament in the 48th minute as he captitalised on a cross from Mandeep Singh into the goalmouth, while Talwinder Singh rounded off India’s scoring in the last minute.

Earlier, Malaysia defeated Japan 3-1 in the playoff to decide fifth place in the standings.

Having failed to earn a place in the final after a listless show in the last preliminary league encounter against Malaysia on Friday, India gave an improved display to take the bronze medal — a shade below their silver medal behind Australia in the tournament last year.

Combining well, the Indian strikers showed purpose when they moved into the rival territory but missed three sitters in the first quarter that ended goalless.

India started with two successive penalty corners in the second minute of play, but the rushers denied Harmanpreet Singh a good look at the goal.

In the next minute, a soft error by the Black Sticks defenders saw Mandeep gain possession of the ball and move into the scoring area, but his reverse drive from the top of the circle was deflected by the goalkeeper.

Britain dethrone Australia
Great Britain, in their first final since triumphing in 1994, won the title after 23 years with a 4 -3 victory over holders Australia, leading throughout after scoring an eight-minute goal.