India exact revenge, beat China 5-4 in Azlan Shah hockey

Ipoh, Malaysia, May 6 (UNI) India today exacted revenge of their humiliating defeat at the Doha Asian Games with a narrow 5-4 victory over China in a Group A match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey here today.

The Chinese had beaten India for the first time in an international match in Doha in December last. That 2-1 defeat had ended India's semi-finals hopes in the continental sports extravaganza.

Today's clash wasn't a classic match but the win kept the Indians in line for a semi-finals spot after losing 0-1 to Australia yesterday.

Both teams played an open game and the goals flowed freely with each taking the lead at turns.

But a better second half finish allowed India to chalk out a morale-boosting victory over the Asian Games silver medallist opponents.

The Chinese took the lead in the fourth minute via a penalty corner and Yu Yang made no mistake with his flick beating Indian goalkeeper Baljit Singh.

That lead, however, did not last long with India striking back the very next minute with a quick counter attack. Harpal Singh took a free hit outside the box and Prabhjot Singh, lurking on the far left, had an easy task of slotting the ball home from close range with goalkeeper Su Ri Feng out of position.

Both sides continued their attacking game and each had two penalty corners in the first half. India then took the lead with the first attempt in the 18th minute with Raghunath flicking it high past rival goalkeeper.

Indians too failed to defend their lead. The Chinese gained their next penalty corner in the 20th minute and this time captain Song Yi scored with a direct flick.

Just as the lemon break approached, the Indians attacked with Roshnan Minz linking up with Probhjot to take the ball into the D.

Prabhjot's hit form the top of D rebounded after hitting the post and as Tushar Khandekar went for it the ball hit a Chinese defender and the referee had no hesitation to award a penalty stroke to India.

Rajpal Singh had no difficulty in converting the stroke for a 3-2 lead for India going into the breather.

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