Hockey coach blames umpiring for defeat

Dubious umpiring helped New Zealand beat India 2-1 in the third hockey Test between the two countries in Wellington on Thursday.

The Asian Games champions trail the four-Test match-up 0-2 and have effectively lost the series.

India lost the first Test at Dunedin 2-3 last Saturday and drew the second 2-2 at Ashourton on Tuesday. The fourth and final Test will be played at Auckland Grammar School on June 23.

In front of a fairly large crowd on Thursday, India had the major share of ball possession in the barren first half.

C R Kumar, assistant coach of the Indian team, attributed the loss to 'questionable umpiring', especially inside the circle.

"The umpiring was too bad. Too many advantages were given to the home team. My men have been playing well since we left Indian shores. But when such mistakes are made by people officiating in matches, we cannot do anything," Kumar said after the match.

India had five shots at goal compared to three by the home team. The New Zealanders scored against the run of play, which was mainly due to too many loose balls played by India.

India controlled the game throughout, with most of the 10 youngsters on tour showing good resilence and ball play. They deservedly equalised in the 50th minute, following their second penalty-corner through skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon.

As the match appeared heading for a draw, Phillip Burrows increased the lead for the hosts in the 62nd minute.

Kumar said the team is playing as a well-knit unit and there is no cause for worry.

New Zealand, he said, might have won the series, but India will prove its mettle at the World Cup qualifier in Edinburgh next month.

"It is not going to be as easy as it was today for them (Kiwis) in the high level tournaments," he said.

Darren Singh, the dependable midfielder of the Kiwis, who will be playing his 100th international on Saturday at Auckland, was lucky to draw first blood in the 42th minute, when the ball went off the stick of Baljit Dhillion.

Kumar said: "Dhillon was right up to the ball and Smith should have been called for dangerous play. But the umpire allowed Smith to continue playing without any warning."