India's chances of advancing to the final suffered a blow after they went down 1-2 to defending champions New Zealand in their penultimate round-robin league match of the 25th Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament at Ipoh in Malaysia. Goals from Ken Russell (28th minute) and Nick Wilson (41st) clinched victory for defending champions New Zealand, who managed to weather the hot and humid conditions better than the Indians, whose only goal came from Mandeep Singh in the 36th minute. Wilson's match-winner resulted from a defensive error committed by the Indians as they failed to clear the ball properly in their own striking circle. New Zealand benefitted from the loose ball in the Indian circle in the 41st minute, when a reverse shot from the goal-line was padded by the Indian goalkeeper and deflected to the middle. Defender Harmanpreet failed to connect in his reflex attempt to push the ball out and Wilson had the easiest task of shooting into the goal for what turned out to be the match-winner for the Black Sticks
The South Americans beat China for their second straight victory in the tournament.
Five-time champions India seek a return to the podium after a year's gap and boost their confidence ahead of the Olympic Games as they begin their campaign in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament with a match against New Zealand, in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Thursday.
After having maximum possession till the 2nd quarter, India finally took the lead in the 19th minute as Akashdeep Singh scored on rebound of a penalty corner.
World champions Australia warded off a spirited challenge from South Korea to carve a 4-2 victory and move to the top of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament standings, on Wednesday.
Ravi Pal Singh's last-minute equaliser saved India's the blushes, as the defending champions eked out a 1-1 draw with China in their first match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Thursday.
From a side that promised much after a fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian women's team has collapsed into a seemingly direction-less outfit.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Saturday
India might have failed to win the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament for a record sixth time, but coach Micheal Nobbs is delighted with the bronze medal showing and said his wards did enough to finish on the podium.
The series was to be played in Malaysia.
The Indian men's hockey team coach Paul van Ass says he is focussing on improving the technical skills of the players ahead of the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be played at Ipoh, Malaysia from April 5-12.
As stalwart midfielder Sardar Singh called time on his illustrious International career, Hockey India on Friday congratulated the 32-year-old Khel Ratna awardee on his long-serving career that spanned over 12 years.
A 24-strong team for the men's hockey series against Japan was announced on Thursday, following a week-long preparatory camp held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, that commenced on April 22.
With three wins and a draw, India are currently leading the six-team league table with 10 points and a goal difference of eight.
The Asian Hockey Federation's council allotted Malaysia the 2013 Asia Cup hockey, the tournament that will offer qualification berth for the 2014 World Cup.
Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri will lead the Indian hockey team at next month's London Olympics, from July 27 to August 12. Sardar Singh will be his deputy in the 16-member squad.
Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra has been elected to the post of vice president of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) at its recent Congress held at Kuala Lumpur.
Prabhjot Singh (6th minute), Shilanand Lakra (15th, 43rd), Harmanjit Singh (21st), Mohd Faraz (23rd), Abhishek (50th) and skipper Mandeep Mor (60th) were the goal scorers for India.
India suffered a jolt even before kicking off their campaign in the eight-nation Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament with ace midfielder Ignace Tirkey "opting out" of the squad citing "personal reasons".
Having failed to adapt to the blue turf during the Olympic hockey test event in London recently, India hockey team is keen to play more on the surface to get adjusted to it ahead of the Games, says ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh.
Despite the defeat to Germany, he expressed satisfaction with the performance of his young side.
Indian hockey team ran out of water and food as their match against Korea was stopped due to rain.
Coach Vasudevan Bhaskaran attributed India 5-2 victory over Malaysia in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament to the improved performance of his forwards.
The team for the Azlan Shah hockey tournament includes unfit skipper Muhammed Saqlain and midfielder Ghazanfar Ali.
India scored their second successive victory after two defeats to stay in the reckoning in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament.
Argentina handed India their second defeat with a 5-1 thrashing at Azlan Shah hockey on Friday.
Newly appointed Pakistan hockey coach Khwaja Junaid said that Pakistan are seeking revenge for the humiliating loss to India in the World Cup, when the arch-rivals clash in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament on May 7.
The inability of the Indian forwards to convert goal scoring chances was the reason for the defeat, coach Carvalho said.
Korea beat Pakistan 4-2 to join hosts Malaysia in the semi-finals of the 16th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Olympic champions Australia won the opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament by a solitary goal.
The ace defender has been appointed skipper for the upcoming three-Test series against Holland in Hyderabad.
Santiago Freixa scored twice in Spain's 3-1 victory over the World cup runners-up.\n\n
Chief coach Roelant Oltmans says the performance of the team is always getting better and it is important that the level remains consistent.
The World champions beat Malaysia for their third win in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament.
The Netherlands beat Olympic and defending champions Australia 6-2 in the final to win their maiden Azlan Shah hockey title.
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