Ipoh: Having wasted a plethora of chances, India settled for a 1-1 draw against England in their second match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018 here on Sunday.
Shilanand Lakra’s first international goal in the 14th minute put India ahead as they managed to hold onto the slender lead until Mark Gleghorne’s 53rd minute penalty stroke levelled terms for the the English team.
Despite failing to win it was however India’s first point in the tournament after a 2-3 defeat against Olympic champions Argentina in the opener.
With many key players rested, India have fielded a young and an inexperienced team in the competition and led by Sardar Singh nearly pulled out a win. But in the end will have only themselves to blame after squandering as many as nine penalty corners besides a few other goal-scoring opportunities.
It was a positive start for both the teams as they looked to threaten each other in the final third through some precise build-up play. England though had the better chances initially. Whereas, India played on the counter, managing just two shots in the first quarter. The second of which turned out to be the opening goal of the match.
England lost possession of the ball in their own half and Ramandeep Singh’s pass to the striking circle was hit first-time by Talwinder Singh, but England’s goalkeeper Harry Gibson could only parry it straight to Lakra, who made the most of the opportunity by deflecting the ball into the back of the net to give his team a 1-0 lead.
The goal seemed to have instilled a new confidence as India started the second quarter on top earning as many as eight penalty corners but fluffed all, hitting most of them straight at English goalie George Pinner.
England on the other secured their first penalty corner in the third quarter but wasted it, meaning India went into the final quarter 1-0 up.
Their lead though didn’t last long and seven minutes from the final hooter England equalised. It was in the 53rd minute when Mark Gleghorne netted home from a penalty corner.
The draw also meant last year’s bronze medallist India remain fourth in the six team competition and next play Australia on Tuesday.