Toothless defending dragged India into an abyss and a humiliating defeat to a team 10th in the FIH rankings as Ireland playing their best hockey in the tournament carved out a 3-2 victory in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament yesterday
India's Ramandeep Singh (right) dribbles past an Irish player during a Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tie in Ipoh, Malaysia yesterday
Toothless defending dragged India into an abyss and a humiliating defeat to a team 10th in the FIH rankings as Ireland playing their best hockey in the tournament carved out a 3-2 victory in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament yesterday. Having grabbed the lead on two occasions, the Indian men's team fumbled in the end. Ramandeep Singh (10th minute) and Amit Rohidas (26th min) scored for India while Shane O'Donoghue (24th), Sean Murray (36th) and Lee Cole (42nd) struck for Ireland.
India now play for the 5th-6th spot against Ireland again today. India's display was surprising because Thursday was a rest day. Rankings sometimes don't respect higher placed teams but when you are outplayed, off the field and on the field, eyebrows are raised. Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne said, "India played without energy. They should have played at seven but couldn't go beyond four or five." India wasted four penalty corners and rarely dominated play. Marijne added, "India made Ireland look good." India had a full quarter to find an equaliser and go for a winner. But the level of play fell below standards and Ireland had a well-deserved victory to savour.
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