Ipoh: 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 on Wednesday.
Goals from Ken Russell (28th minute) and Nick Wilson (41st) clinched victory for New Zealand, who managed the 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 as the Indians failed to clear the ball properly.
Victory on Wednesday would have put India in the final, while a draw would have still kept them ahead of New Zealand. But the Black Sticks have now moved into the second spot. India can still ensure a place in the final against Australia if they defeat hosts Malaysia on Friday.
