India make stirring comeback to hold HGC hockey club to 3-3 draw

Oegstgeest (Netherlands), April 15 (IANS): The Indian hockey team put up a tough fight in the second build-up game of their European tour as they tied 3-3 against Dutch club HGC here.

HGC opened early in the sixth minute and managed to pierce in another goal in the 24th minute to help them dominate with a 2-0 lead at half-time.

But India fought back remarkably in the second half as they restricted HGC from doing any further damage. India turned the tables in their favour when Rupinder Pal Singh made no mistake in converting a penalty corner (50th minute), which was followed by a field goal (56th) through Nikkin Thimmaiah.

V.R. Raghunath’s successful penalty corner (63rd) helped India take the lead for the first time in the match. But HGC levelled in the 64th minute and the scoreline was maintained till the end.

India’s defence and goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh proved their ability to be at par with the Dutch club HGC getting 10 penalty corners out of which they managed to convert only two.

India will now take on Belgium late Wednesday.

This tour is undergoing preparations for the FIH World Cup to be held at The Hague from May 31 to June 15.

Result: India 3 Rupinder Pal Singh (50th), Nikkin Thimmaiah (56th) and V.R. Raghunath (63rd) drew with HGC 3.