Azlan Shah Cup: Gleghorne's penalty cancels out Shilanand's opener as India draw with England

Ipoh, March 4: India wasted chances galore to settle for a 1-1 draw against England in the their second match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here on Sunday (March 4).

It was India's first point in the tournament after having lost 2-3 to Olympic champions Argentina in their tournament opener at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium.

Youngster Shilanand Lakra (14th minute) scored his first international goal in the dying minutes of the first quarter to give India the lead, which the men in blue maintained till the 53rd minute, when Mark Gleghorne converted a penalty stroke.

#India draw 1-1 against #England in their second match of #SultanAzlanShahCup hockey tournament #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/qyU0Mu8I8p

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) March 4, 2018

By virtue of this draw, last year's bronze medallist India are now placed fourth in the table in the six-team tournament.

The Indians, who have fielded a young and inexperienced team in the tournament under Sardar Singh's leadership, only had themselves to blame as they wasted as many as nine penalty corners besides a few great scoring chances from the field.

India were slow to get off the blocks as England put pressure on the rival citadel with continuous raids upfront. But India took the lead against the run of play a minute before the first quarter when Shilanand pounced on a rebound after Talwinder Singh's initial shot was saved by England goalkeeper Harry Gibson.

India 1, England 1 in #SultanAzlanShahCup 2018
India are yet to beat England after five years, 3 months in #fieldhockey
Last won 3-1 at Melbourne in 1 Dec 2012 in #FIHChampionsTrophy#INDvENG

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 4, 2018

The Indians, however, were on top in the second quarter and earned as many as eight penalty corners with close succession, but the dragflcik battery of Varun Kumar and Amit Rohidas failed to breach the England defence, led by goalkeeper George Pinner, who replaced Gibson.

The third quarter witnessed a midfield slugfest between both the sides as England pressed hard for the equaliser and in the process secured a penalty corner, which was wasted. The Indians secured their ninth and final penalty corner in the 48th minute but as has been the story in the match, they failed to utilise the opportunity and it eventually proved costly for Sjoerd Marijne and his team.

Seven minutes from the final hooter, England were awarded a penalty stroke for a stick infringement inside the Indian circle and Gleghorne stepped up to convert the chance with ease past goalie Krishan B Pathak.

What's happening out there 9 PC and still no conversion...not even close...are our reserves that bad..something to look into...@TheHockeyIndia @hockeyind #SultanAzlanShahCup #INDvENG

— iki (@iqbal1988) March 4, 2018

Thereafter, both the teams tried hard to find a winner but failed in their efforts. After a rest day on Monday, India will play World No 1 Australia on Tuesday, while England will be up against Ireland.