FULL TIME: New Zealand beat India 2-1! After a second-quarter goal from Kane Russell, Nick Wilson takes the Black Sticks over the line. Despite a return attack from Mandeep, assisted ably by Talwinder in the third quarter to equalise, New Zealand take victory.
New Zealand’s defence has not been very strong this tournament; they have conceded a goal in every game they have played, but keeper Devon Manchester put in a strong showing today to deny India the win.
Final 5 minutes of play! India are trailing 1-2 and it's looking difficult for the Men in Blue to even draw their rivals at this point, but they need a win if they want to play Australia in the finals. It appears to be a win for the Black Sticks at this point – against a team ranked higher than themselves.
India lose out on a scoring opportunity as Nikkin Thimmaiah is unable to score. With seven minutes to go in the match, India will want to win for the opportunity for a finals spot.
FINAL quarter! India are awarded a penalty corner but unable to build on it. A strong showing from keeper Devon Manchester today means that India has had scoring attempts foiled. 12 minutes of play to go.
4 minutes to go in the third quarter, and New Zealand pull back! Wilson scores to take them 2-1. The Black Sticks’ defense has been weak here – they’ve conceded a goal in every single match they’ve played. That continues today, but their attack has been strong as well. They’re up – and now it’s a long corner for the Black Sticks.
GOOOAL! 36’ and India scores. Mandeep takes the score to 1-1 off a shot from Talvinder. It’s Mandeep’s first goal of the tournament.
Second half now underway and it’s still a 1-0 lead to New Zealand, but Indian captain Sardar Singh is attacking to try and equalise.
And that’s the end of the first half! With a good save by goalkeeper Devon Manchester followed by Kane Russell building on their penalty opportunity, New Zealand lead 1-0.
SCORE! It’s the Black Sticks who draw first blood. With two minutes to go in the first half, New Zealand capitalize on a penalty corner with Kane Russell taking them into the lead.
We’re in the dying minutes of the first half – and Rupinder Pal Singh is penalised. It’s the second penalty corner of the game, and again to New Zealand, who have won the most penalty corners in the tournament.
20’! First penalty corner of the match to India, who have not been strong at building on penalty corner opportunities. It’s Rupinder Pal Singh who tries to score off the opportunity, but it’s deflected by the goalkeeper.
Second quarter! India are attempting to take a more attacking stance. It’s a long corner for New Zealand, but they’re not able to capitalize. SV Sunil and Kane Russell are locked in a close battle – but nothing comes of it.
That’s the end of Q1. New Zealand have been attacking forcefully today, and it’s India who are on the defensive. The Black Sticks have had scoring opportunities but not been able to capitalize, while India are missing their biggest defense against New Zealand – goalkeeper P Sreejesh. He was rested for this tournament and replaced by Akash Chikte.
Last 5 minutes of Q1 and it’s been a non-scoring one. New Zealand are better with the posession, though. SV Sunil going to the baseline, and blocked by two Black Sticks deflects it back to Jasjeet.
13:35 IST Players are now on court! Simon Child walks out onto the court – the Black Sticks are off a 0-1 loss to arch-rivals Australia, with India fresh off a victory over their own long-time rivals, Pakistan.
India’s star goalkeeper P Sreejesh had been instrumental in their performance against the Black Sticks; he has been benched for this tournament, however,
The teams played each other in a four match series in Christchurch New Zealand in October, 2015. India drew the final match 1-1, but won the series 2-1.
The match commences at 13:35 IST.
India take on New Zealand in the round robin stages of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Following a thundering 5-1 defeat of arch-rivals Pakistan, Sardar Singh’s eleven are on a high and looking to build on their successes. Currently at 2nd in the league standings, they trail Australia, who have been the strongest team at this year’s tournament.
