Chandigarh, Feb 07: With the outcome of the previous match assuring India a place in the final, the relaxed hosts beat New Zealand 3-2 in the last league match of four-nation Punjab Gold Cup hockey tournament here on Saturday.
Earlier today Holland thrashed Germany 7-1, which paved
the pay for India to sneak into the final.
India, who finished at number two with 11 points from six
matches, will now take on Holland in the final of the
tournament on Monday.
India took the early lead when Rajpal Singh, who later
adjudged Man-of-the-Match, pumped in the first goal in sixth
minute.
Mid-fielder Prabodh Tirkey took a hit near the striking
circle, which got deflected off Kiwi goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex
before Rajpal Singh netted the ball.
The Black Sticks equalised the score in 40th minute as
Nicholas Wilson sounded the board.
But Rajpal struck his second goal in 55th minute to help
India surge ahead again as he shook off the opponent custodian
with a powerful hit after receiving a pass near the second
post.
New Zealand again levelled the score in 62nd minute as
Richard Petherick converted a penalty corner creditably.
Indians fired their third goal in 67th minute when Ignace
Tirkey finished off a good attack from the left flank.
The Black Sticks who finished at the bottom of the points
tally without winning a single match, launched some counter
attacks, although without much success.
India had made a few changes in the squad as mid-fielder
Vikram Pillai and goalkeeper Baljit Singh were replaced by
Raghunath and Adrian D' Souza (goalkeeper).
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, February 07, 2009, 00:00