01-Mar-2009 187
Skipper Sandeep Singh and Dilip Tirkey struck as India beat New Zealand 2-0 in the fourth and last hockey match at the Lloyd Elsmore Stadium in Auckland today and wrapped up the four-match Test series 2-0.
Tirkey opened the account in the 43rd minute and Sandeep doubled the lead just three minutes from the final whistle to end the tour on a winning note for India. The vistors drew the first and the third match 1-1 and won the second match 2-1.
After a hard fought first-half that ended goalless, India stepped up the game in the second half to strike twice.
In the second half, India stepped up the pressure and Tirkey, playing his 380th international match, converted a penalty strike in the 43rd minute to give India the lead much.
Sandeep then struck the winner in the 67th minute finding the top left of the goal with apparent ease.
