Azlan Shah Cup hockey: India break Ireland jinx to finish fifth

Varun Kumar of India celebrates with teammates after scoring against Ireland during their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey match at Ipoh, Malaysia, on Saturday (Image: Hockey India)

Ipoh (Malaysia), March 10: A resilient Indian men's hockey team beat Ireland 4-1 to end its campaign at the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018 in fifth position. It was goals by Varun Kumar (5th minute, 32nd), Shilanand Lakra (28th) and Gurjant Singh (37th) that ensured India finish with a win. Meanwhile, Ireland's lone goal was scored by Julian Dale (48th).

FT. India put on a dominant display in their final game of the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup as they defeat Ireland 4-1 to claim the 5th spot in the standings of the tournament on 10th March 2018. #IndiaKaGame #INDvIRL #SultanAzlanShahCup pic.twitter.com/sgw9t79EFW
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 10, 2018

India began with strong attack early on that helped them win back-to-back PC's in the 5th minute. It was an infringement on Ireland's part when Simranjeet Singh was attempting a shot on goal that resulted in the PC. Though the first attempt was saved, a tussle for the ball in the circle resulted in another PC. This time Varun Kumar found success, ensuring India got off to a good start with 1-0 lead.

The second quarter saw India up their energy and constantly attacked the Irish circle. They dominated with ball possession and attempted four shots on goal. One such attempt saw Nilam Sanjeep Xess's fierce pass from right side of the circle to find forward Shilanand Lakra poised in front of the goal. The young lad from Sundargarh, Odisha ensured he didn't miss out on the opportunity as he beat Ireland's goalkeeper Jamie Carr doubling India's lead to 2-0.

India achieve a clinical 4-1 victory over Ireland in their final game of the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah cup to claim the 5th spot on the standings of the tournament. Here are the snapshots from Team India’s victory on 10th March 2018.#IndiaKaGame

ALBUM: https://t.co/HN9gwimhe0 pic.twitter.com/Djws8V6iF7
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 10, 2018

India began the third quarter with a PC in the 32nd minute. It was midfielder Sumit who was in the middle of all the action, trying to make a baseline entry into the circle when the Irish defender was caught making an infringement. Varun Kumar seemed to have found his mojo in this match as he pumped a brilliantly struck dragflick past Carr to take India's lead to a comfortable 3-0. India's next goal came off Gurjant Singh in the 37th minute. It was brilliant play by Talwinder Singh who received a good pass from Simranjeet Singh and later connected it to Gurjant who made no mistake in putting it into the post. This effort took India's lead to a formidable 4-0.

Though India conceded a goal in the 48th minute, the team's defence remained resolute through the match restricting the number of circle entries Ireland made to 18 and denied them potential shots on goal. Though India earned a PC in the 50th minute and another one towards the dying minutes of the match, they couldn't convert but ensured they kept the lead to win.

Source: Hockey India