Indians draw some positives, at last

Sandeep Singh (54th), Shivinder Singh (61st) and Vikram Pillay (62nd) scored the goals for the visitors after they were nearly outplayed by Pakistan through Tariq Aziz (4th), Mohammed Saqlain (27th) and Shabbir Hussain (43rd) goals.

India were again found wanting in converting opportunities into goals. Both Sardara Singh and Didar Singh showed poor striking abilities and failed to deliver despite getting a good chance each inside the D.

On another occasion, an Ignace Tirkey move also could not find the right kind of finish it deserved.

Pakistan continued with their attacking spree in the second half to go three-nil up but the Indians kept their cool and got the first breakthrough in the 54th minute through Sandeep Singh dodged the rival keeper through a ground shot.

This pepped up the visitors who maintained their pace in attack resulting in the second goal by Shivinder Singh in the 61st minute and the equaliser a minute later.

Tejbir Singh provided a beauty of a pass to Vikram Pillay inside the D and the midfielder hit a spectacular goal from zero angle to bring broad smiles on the Indians’ faces.

India, who lost all the three matches in the first leg held in India, won one and drew two in the second.