New Zealand hold India to 2-2 draw

After a brace by captain Sandeep Singh India conceded a late goal to settle for a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in the Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament at Ipoh, Malaysia today. Richard Petherick’s eighth minute strike put the Kiwis ahead but Sandeep scored the equaliser in the 27th minute and struck once again in the 48th minute to snatch the lead. For New Zealand, Joseph Barth Holomew sounded the board in the 63rd minute to restore parity. With Malaysia leading the table and New Zealand being India’s main rival for a place in Sunday’s final, a win today would have come handy for Sandeep’s men but they faltered towards the end and could gain just one point from the outing. India and New Zealand both have five points even though India enjoy a superior goal average in the tournament. After a rest day tomorrow, India play their final league match against arch-rivals Pakistan while New Zealand take on Malaysia on April 11.