Sydney, June 04: Ignace Tirkey scored a sensational last-minute goal as India salvaged a 3-3 draw against mighty Australians in the opening match of the second leg of the three-nation invitational hockey tournament here today. Dhanraj Pillay (35th), Prabhojot Singh (55th) and Ignace Tirkey (70th) scored the goals for India, while Australia scored through Andrew Smith (19,34) and Scott Webster (57th).
Trailing 2-3 till the final minute, India secured a point from the pulsating match after Ignace Tirkey sounded the board just 35 seconds from the hooter.
The match, which witnessed much drama as both the sides made frantic efforts to grab full points, saw the Australians dominating the first 20 minutes with some fine moves.
Their repeated attacks on the Indian goal bore fruit in the 20th minute when Andrew Smith gave them the lead.
The hosts extended their lead further when Smith scored his second goal just a minute before the half time.
India, keen to avenge their two losses against Australia in the first leg of the tournament in Perth last week, were able to reduce the margin when skipper Dhanraj Pillay, showing his brilliance, beat the rival goalkeeper in the 35th minute.
India's hopes for winning the match was rekindled when striker Prabhjot Singh pumped in a goal 20 minutes into the second half to make the score 2-2.
But the visitors' joy was shortlived as Australia again surged ahead through a Scott Webster goal in the 57th minute.
Bureau Report