India holds Ireland to 4-4 draw
Rotterdam: Rupinderpal Singh scored two goals as India survived a scare before eking out a 4-4 draw against lower-ranked Ireland in a hard-fought Pool B match in the men's competition of the FIH World League Round 3, here today.
Rupinderpal (40th, 66th minute) converted two penalty corners in the second half to save India the blushes after Akashdeep Singh (21st) and Shivendra Singh (47th) scored two field goals. For Ireland, Alan Sothern (25th), Paul Gleghorne (30th), Andrew McConnell (64th) scored three field goals while the other came from a penalty corner conversion by Conor Harte in the 57th minute.
Even though India (11) are ranked four places higher than Ireland (15) in the world rankings, it didn't really show in their game today. The defensive line has been their perennial problem and the area once again came to hound India against the Irish, who looked impressive and threatening in the entire 70 minutes.
There was clear lack of co-ordination between the Indian mid-field and forwardline, at least in the opening half, and they were also guilty of giving away the ball far more easily to their opponents.
The Indians, however, surged ahead in the 21st minute when Akashdeep trapped a cross from Mandeep and slammed home a winner with a fierce hit from top of the circle. India's joy, however, remained shortlived as Ireland drew parity four minutes later when Sothern scooped over a charging Indian goalie P R Sreejesh after some fine stick work on the left flank.
India soon got their first penalty corner but Sandeep Singh flick was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper David Harte. Ireland rubbed salt on India's wounds in the 30th minute when Gleghorne scored to give his side a 2-1 lead.
The Indian defence was yet again caught napping by Ireland's fast attacking moves as an unmarked Gleghorne scored from close range.
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