India rally to hold Australia

India began their campaign in the Five-nation men's Junior Invitational hockey tournament at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Australia.

Earlier in the day, Malaysia crushed England 4-0 in the opening match of the tournament.

The Indians juniors started well against the defending Junior World Cup champions and the first-half of the match saw both the teams having their chances.

The game was balanced after the breather with play from one end to another. Australian opened the score in the 37th minute through captian Nathan Eglington. Eglington brilliantly dribbled his way into India's penalty area and blasted a powerful shot past the 15-year-old Indian goalkeeper Suraj Kanta Singh.

India tried hard to find the equaliser. They were finally rewarded for their hard work in the 64th minute. Bikramjit Singh utilised the penalty-corner to its best possible effect by scooping the ball high into the corner of the goal to the delight of his teammates.

Australia used all 16 players as coach Colin Batch shared the time on the pitch around among the young team with minimal international experience behind them.

The Indians had the upper hand against Australia, earning eight penalty-corners against three by the Aussies. Statistically, the match was well balanced as the Aussies penetrated the Indian circle 24 times and had six shots at the goal as compared to 21 and five by the Indians.

Australia will face Korea on Monday, while the Indians will face England on Tuesday in their second match.

In the first match of the tournament, Malaysia led 2-0 at half-time through goals by K.Logan Raj and Azlan Misron. The other goals were scored by Mohd Fairus Ramli and S.Shankar.

Malaysia could have scored even more goals but for the outstanding English goalkeeper Paddy Aldridge, who made three excellent saves.

It was a second consecutive victory for Malaysia as they had beaten England 4-2 in the Poznan tournament a fortnight ago.

Malaysia's next match is against Korea on Tuesday.

Earlier report:
Indian juniors to take on Australia