London Olympics hockey: India vs New Zealand- As it happened...

India would look nothing less than a win when they face New Zealand in a crucial match in the men`s hockey competition at the London Olympics 2012.

Zeenews Sports Bureau

Fulltime:New Zealand beat India 3-1 New Zealand bounced back to beat India 3-1 after conceding an early lead in an Olympic hockey match at the London Olympics 2012 on Wednesday. Sandeep Singh was the lone scorer for India while New Zealand found their goals through Burrows Phillip, Hayward Andrew and Wilson Nicholas. 65 min: Sardara gave the push, Raghu fired the shot onto the cage but only managed to hit the post. NZ in the counter. Ignace Tirkey cleared the ball. 64 min: PC for NZ. Sreejesh did the rescue act. Counter attack from India, led by Sardara. Now, PC for India. 60 min: PC for NZ. Shot went wide but NZ asked for video referral. 57 min: PC for India. Sandeep ready to take the shot. Sandeep missed but got another PC. Deflected by a Kiwi's body. 55 min: No takers for Sardara's pass as Indians raced towards NZ cage. Another opportunity missed. Time's running out for India to save from another loss. 52 min: Good opportunity for India. 48 min: No takers for Sunil's cross from the right. Sardara tried to create another chance but wrong pass. 44 min: Indian attack towards the left but fizzled out inside the D. 40 min: Another Kiwi attack but Simon Child shot wide. 37 min: Tushar has a shot saved by the goalkeeper. Second half underway. Halftime: India 1-3 NZ Once again Indian forwards failed to deliver. Barring the effort in the second minute, Indians never tried to test the Kiwi defence. Only an strong comeback from the forward line could help tow India out from further trouble. 33 min: Gurbaj almost scored a self goal while defending. 30 min: GOAL!! Poor defence by India. Wilson Nicholas stretched the lead for Kiwis. 28 min: India 1-2 NZ 27 min: GOAL!! Kiwis grabbed lead through a penalty stroke. Burrows Phillip scored for Kiwis. 26 min: India defended well a penalty corner but resulted in a penalty. 22 min: NZ kept pressing and nearly found result after an Ignace error. Sandeep cleared the ball to stave off any danger. 21 min:Timely intervention by Ignace inside the D denied NZ another breakthrough. Both teams desperate to break deadlock. 19 min: Good defending by India. 16 min: Sunil nearly scored for India. Failed to connect a cross from the left inside the D. 13 min: GOAL!! Kiwis levelled thrugh Hayward Andrew. He scored from a penalty corner. 13 min: PC for NZ. 10 min: Sardar Singh's mistake nearly costs India. Kiwis failed to capitalise. 9 min: Indian attack through the right. Fizzled out. 4 min: PC for NZ. Close. Deflected off the cross bar.Unlucky Kiwis. 2 min:GOAL for India. Sandeep Singh scores. Great start for India. Sandeep converted penalty corner, slammed into the goal leaving goalie helpless. 1 min:Game's underway. Missed a good opportunity. PC for India. HEAD-TO-HEAD India and New Zealand at Olympics 1960 India beat New Zealand 3-0 1968 India lost to New Zealand 1-2 1972 India defeated New Zealand 1-2 1984 India defeated New Zealand 1-0 1992 defeated New Zealand 3-2