Indian Hockey Team defeat Black Sticks by 5-3 in a practice match: Hockey Recap
The Men’s hockey team of India emerged victorious over New Zealand by 5-3 in a practice match prior to the 20th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup starting from May 05 in Malaysia.
The Indian team, with a combination of youngsters and experienced players, displayed impressive game-show and marked five goals against the three of their competitors.
Matt L’Huillier of the Black Sticks, who has not played any international game, rendered outstanding game and scored all the three goals. With a brilliant show, he almost confirmed his place in the final squad. The match being played between India and New
Zealand was a training contest for Thursday’s seven-nation tournament.
Both the teams started the game quite maturely, but it was India who drew first blood and established their dominance in the game.
The Indian team had a short-corner in the 8th minute of the game. Mahadik hit a low flicking shot that past Kyle Pontifex in the Black Sticks' goal. Soon, in a matter of five minutes, after the first goal, the Indian team earned another penalty-corner
and doubled the tally. Rupinder struck a low flying shot into the New Zealand goal enhancing the pressure on the opposite side.
Despite conceding a couple of goals, the New Zealand team continued a mature and disciplined game. The Black Sticks counter-attacked after obtaining their first short-corner in the 27th minute of the game, decreasing the lead down to a single
goal. L’Huillier unleashed a powerful drag flick to bring his side into the score-net. With four minutes left in the first half, L’Huillier brilliantly converted another short-corner and had it all even at 2-2. First half of play concluded with both teams
holding a 2-2 dead-lock.
In the second half of play, the two squads started a more offensive game to get a go-ahead goal. It was India who took the lead in the 38th minute of the contest. Chandi managed the go-ahead goal comfortably after Nick Haig committed a foul. Soon
after the six minutes of play, Rupinder added his second goal of day to expand the lead up to two goals, 4-2.
The players from Indian side continued to dominate the game and stretched the lead of up to three points in the 54th minute of the match. Mahadik converted a penalty-shot through a speedy drag flick to further tighten their dominance in the game.
In the last quarter of the game, New Zealand's team attempted to make a comeback into the game but to no avail. The resilient India’s defence kept them off the score-board and they could only score a single goal in the final moments. L’Huillier struck a
controlling shot into the Indian goal to complete his hat-trick but to no avail. With final whistle of the time-completion, India won the game by two goals, 5-3.
The Indian side will meet South Korea on May 05, in the first game of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
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