India impress but misfire

Bhubaneswar: India produced an impressive display but wasted chances galore as they held defending champions and world number two Australia to a 1-1 draw in their opening pool match of the Hockey World League Final here on Friday.

Playing in front a partisan crowd at the floodlit Kalinga Stadium, India by far were the better side on display and outplayed Australia in terms of ball possession.

The Indians got off to an attacking start and scored the opening goal of the match through Mandeep Singh's field strike in the 20th minute. But it was equalised soon after when Jeremy Hayward converted a penalty corner for Australia (21st minute).

The host started on a bright note and played above their weight to create numerous scoring chances in the match but the forwards, especially Gurjant Singh and Akashdeep, were off- colour.

India almost took the lead with the first move of the game. It was S V Sunil who started the move and set it up for an unmarked Gurjant inside the circle but the young striker's reverse was saved by an agile Tyler Lovell in front of the Australian goal.Two minutes later, Lovell came to his side's rescue again as he made a double save to deny the hosts.

First, he blocked Akashdeep's effort from close range and then made another fine save to deny Gurjant for the second time in quick succession. India played a high intensity game in the first quarter and kept up the pressure on Australian defence with continuous forays.

In the process, they earned the first penalty corner of the match in the sixth minute but comeback man Rupinderpal Singh flicked the ball straight to Lovell, who blocked it with his left hand.

Australia's lone scoring opportunity of the quarter came in the 12th minute from a penalty corner but Indian custodian Akash Chikte dived to his right to keep the ball away.

By Saumojyoti S Choudhury