India convert deficit into win

Today8217;s win not only helped the Indians in making the final series margin slightly respectable 3-6 but once again underlined the young team8217;s fighting qualities.

After having taken a healthy lead in the series, Pakistan looked at times disinterested and failed to make worthwhile attacks. Indian defence once again held strong and the fact that they conceded just two penalty corners bears testimony to it.

Pakistan made the most of the first penalty corner when SuhailAbbas fired past Ponnappa to make it 1-0. It was Abbas8217; 10th goal in the series. Indians missed two chances in quick succession. First, Gagan Ajit Singh shot over on a pass from Horo, and five minutes later, Brojen made a hash of a golden opportunity, failing to trap a long pass from Riaz. Soon Pakistan went 2-0 up, when Mohammed Khalid8217;s reverse hit went through Ponnappa8217;s pads.

India forced a penalty corner in the first minute of the second session, and Dilip Tirkey send a cracking hit to the right of goal-keeper Ahmed Alam. The goal fired-up the Indians forcing three penalty corners in quick succession.

They got lucky on the third when Saini scored in an indirect sequence.

India got the winner in the dying minutes when Gagan, who was brought back for the last 10 minutes, made up for his misses. Saini moved up from the right flank and passed to Gagan outside the circle. He trapped well beat Waseem Ahmed and moved in to take a shot when Waseem ran back to stick-check him.

Umpire Garth Proudfootawarded a penalty stroke which Dhillon converted. It was his ninth of the series, which earned him the highest scorer8217;s trophy for India. Abbas had more goals 10 but Dhillon8217;s effort is commendable keeping in mind he missed the first two matches due to his marriage. Coach Vasudevan Baskaran agreed the poor conversion rate in penalty corners remained a major worry 8212; India earned 55 penalty corners and converted just six in the entire series. In comparison, Pakistan converted 13 out of 31 penalty corners. He praised the performances of his defenders who gave away just six penalty corners in the last three matches. 8220;Abbas is a dangerous flicker and has many variations. It is really difficult to block him. He made a lot of difference in the Tour.8221;