Draw deal for champs

India skipper Birendra Lakra evades a tackle from Pakistan’s Abdul Rana in Jakarta yesterday

Defending champions India conceded a late goal to allow arch-rivals Pakistan walk away with a 1-1 draw in their opening Pool A match of the Asia Cup men's hockey tournament, here on Monday.

Selvam scores on debut

India took the lead in the ninth minute through Karthi Selvam before Abdul Rana broke their neighbours' heart by equalising in the 59th from a penalty corner.

India will next play Japan on Tuesday. Pakistan had the first scoring chance in the third minute in the form of a penalty corner, but they failed to stop the ball properly as India survived. Seconds later, it was India's turn to secure a penalty corner but Neelam Sanjip Xess' effort was saved by the Pakistan goalie Akmal Hussain.

The Indians continued to put pressure on the Pakistan defence and secured two more penalty corners in the first quarter, the second of which was converted by Karthi, who scored his first international goal after his flick went inside the Pakistan citadel after getting a deflection off the stick of defender Muhammad Abdullah. In between Pakistan also got another penalty corner but the effort went wide.

Soon after the start of the second quarter, Pakistan goalkeeper Hussain made a fine reflex save to deny Pawan Rajbhar from point blank range. The Indians dominated the ball possession and secured another penalty corner in the 21st minute which went abegging. Two minutes from the half time, Pakistan got a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty corner for an unnecessary tackle outside circle by young Vishnukant Singh, but once again miss-stop ruined the opportunity as India went into into the break with a slender 1-0 lead.

Pakistan made a bright start after the change of ends and threatened the Indian defence early on. Second into ther third quarter, Pakistan secured their third penalty corner but Rizwan Ali shot his flick wide.

Goalie Karkera shines

Minutes later India custodian Suraj Karkera made a brilliant save from close range to deny Abdul Rana and then the resultant rebound was shot over by Afraz. Thereafter India had a flurry of chances - one to Rajbhar and then to Uttam Singh - but Pakistan goalkeeper Hussain was there to save his side. The Indians kept up the pressure and secured a few more penalty corners in the third quarter but could convert none.

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