Gritty Canada hold India

Sandeep Singh strikes four; visitors lead series 2-0

Sandeep flicked home in the ninth, 18th, 31st and 45th minutes while Scott Tupper (second), Rob Short (66th) and Mark Pearson (68th and 70th min) scored for Canada, last night. However, India continues to lead the series 2-0.

Canada began aggressively and took an early lead when the Indian defence conceded a soft penalty corner in the second minute which was sunk in by Tupper to goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza’s right.

Rattled by this reversal, India took a firm grip on the proceedings soon after with forays from both flanks. The midfielders led by skipper Tushar Khandker propelled the forwards Shivendra Singh, Rajpal Singh and Gurwinder Chandi to move cohesively in the Canadian danger zone for a look in.

A physical tackle by Scott Sandison on Rajpal Singh within the Canadian quarter line gave India their first penalty corner from which Sandeep levelled the score. Sandeep scored again nine minutes later after Shivendra was brought down by Canada’s Gabbar Singh.

Sandeep completed his hat-trick off a scorcher past custodian David Carter in the 31st minute after striker Roshan Minz found the foot of a Canadian defender. India kept the accelaration initially in the second half with Rajpal missing the target with a reverse.

Soon after, India were reduced to 10 men when Sarwanjit Singh was yellow carded for hitting the ball deliberately after the umpire had blown the whistle for an infringement against him. However despite this setback, India further increased their lead to 4-1 in the 45th minute after a splendid Halappa-Prabhjot Singh move from the left flank was halted by an obstruction from Canada. Sandeep found the target yet again high to Carter’s left.

However, the hosts continued to attack and their efforts bore fruit when they were awarded a penalty corner after Prabhjot’s attempt to stop a long overhead with a raised stick four minutes from the end. This proved to be the turning point as Short fired home to give Canada their second goal.

The Indian defence went into panic mode as Canada played long hard hits into the Indian circle. Deep defenders Sardar Singh, Sandeep and Chhikara were unable to thwart the Canadian onslaughts as Mark Person found the target twice in two minutes to level the match.