India go down fighting 1-0 to Australia in Azlan Shah hockey

Ipoh, Malaysia, May 5 (UNI) India opened campaign with a refreshingly good display of discipline hockey but still went down 0-1 to tournament favourites Australia in the inaugural match of the 16th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here today.

A solitary goal in the 50th minute was enough to give the world number two side a 1-0 win under hot conditions.

In his first international assignment as head coach, Joaqim Carvalho, however, said he was satisfied with his boy's performance.

The Indians kept their opponents at bay in the first half denying them any clear shot in the goal. William Xalxo and Harpal Singh was effective at deep defence as they cut off early raids from the inexperienced Aussie side.

In the half-line, Bimal Lakra, Prabodh Tirkey and Vikram Kanth, who arrived just a day earlier to replace Ignace Tirkey, was up to their task to support the upfront.

But, it was Rajpal Singh playing on the right flank who provided the much needed depth in attack with his darting runs and within 10 minutes he made three clear essays at the Aussie goal area, though each time there were no takers.

India earned the only penalty corner of the first half in the 10th minute but Harpal's direct hit was padded away to safety by goalkeeper Stephen Lambert.

The Australians, who have as many as seven new faces in their squad, did not have any clear shots at the goal in the first session although they did earn four free hits within the 25-yard line. The two teams went for the breather with no score on the board.

It was the Australians who came back stronger after the changeover as they forced the pace of the game to send the Indians at the backfoot.

In the 40th minute, the Aussies earned their first penalty corner but Andrew Smith's high flick to the left was saved by goalkeeper Baljit Singh.

From then on, the Australians slowly assumed control of the match, reducing India's attack to far and few.

In the 45th minute, the Indians had a good look at the opponent goal with Roshnan Minz, who made his international debut, dribbling into the D and unleashing a reverse hit only to miss the target.

Five minutes later, the Aussies took the lead when a long range hit into the semi-circle was deflected into goal by Edward Ockenden, who is playing in only his 10th international match. It was also his first goal for Australia.

India did break into rival striking zone a few times but they messed it up each time with Tushar Khandekar and Probhjot Singh muffing the chances that came their ways.

Australia earned two more penalty corners in the 60th and 68th minutes but on both occasions Russel Ford's push was not fast enough for his team mates to have a crack at the Indian goal.

Indians made last ditch efforts towards the close but in vain, giving the new look Australian side a narrow victory.

Carvalho later said the performance of the young team was superb and felt that they have what it takes to be back at the top of their game.

''Putting the narrow defeat aside, it was good a showing by the young players. I think we are moving in right direction and you can see they played out the game plan well,'' he said.

''The weather conditions and new turf did have an effect on the players but then we just need to adapt to it. It is a good start and to play well against a top team in the world is a plus point.'' India: Baljit Singh (GK), Harpal Singh, Ralpal Singh, Prabodh Tirkey, Bimal Lakra, William Xalxo, Sardar Singh, Vikran Kanth, Gurbaj Singh, Tushar Khandkar, Prabhjot Singh.

Reserves: Bharat Kumar, Shivender Singh, Didar Singh, Bharat Chikkara, Roshan Minz.

Australia: Liam De Young, Robert Hammond, Russel Ford, Edward ockenden, Grant Schubert, Bevan George, Stephen Lambert (GK), Mathew Naylor, Mathew Wells, Kiel Brown, Fergus Kavanagh.

Reserves: Joshua Hawes, Andrew Smith, Eli Matheson, Brent Livermore, Desmond Abbot.

UNI