After holding on to a 1-0 lead for for nearly half-an-hour in the game, India conceded three goals in the space of 10 minutes in the final quarter of the game to lose 2-3 against a resilient New Zealand side.
Rupinder Pal Singh, yet again, made no mistake from a penalty corner to put his side in the lead shortly into the second quarter. India saw out New Zealand’s attacks resolutely but paid for not trying to build on their one-goal advantage as Nick Ross netted the equaliser two minutes into the second half.
Just like their outing against Australia, India’s defence suddenly wore a vulnerable look after conceding a goal, and a minute later, saw themselves trailing in the game as Jacob Smith struck through a field goal.
A frantic finish in the final minutes saw the Blacksticks extend their lead through a penalty corner conversion from Hugo Inglis found the net, three minutes from time. There was more late drama as Rupinder Pal Singh struck from a penalty flick barely a minute later. New Zealand held on to their lead.
Brief score:
India (Rupinder Pal Singh x 2) lose to New Zealand 3 (Nick Ross, Jacob Smith, Hugo Inglis)