India Hold to a 2-2 Draw by Egypt in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Opener

India got off to a poor start in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament as last year’s runner ups were held to a 2-2 draw with tournament’s newest team Egypt who did not gave India any room throughout the match. The way Egypt played all through the match; you can not just call it a fluke. In fact, Egypt took lead thanks to a penalty corner in the eighth minute. Just 7 minutes after conceding the goal, India got the equalizer with thanks to Captain Sandeep Singh penalty corner. After equalizing, India went for all out attack, but it was not until 49^th minute, India put in the second goal to take a lead in the game. However, the lead was squandered off as scored a last-gasp equalizer from a penalty corner and Indian defense must take the responsibility of conceding a penalty corner in the crucial situation of the match. Meanwhile, hosts Malaysia pulled off an upset by defeating hockey powerhouse Pakistan 3-2.

Schedule of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2009 Hockey Tournament

The 18^th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament is going to start from 5 April 2009 in Ipoh, Malaysia. The five-country tournament will feature host Malaysia alongside international teams like India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Egypt. Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2009 will have 12 games in total including the tournament final, due to be held on 12 April 2009.

All the five teams will play against each other in the group stage in a round robin league system. Top two teams with highest points will qualify for the tournament, while the third and fourth placed teams in terms of points will take on each other in the 3^rd place deciding match. Last year’s runner up India, Pakistan and New Zealand are the top favorites for the tournament. If you want to get the schedule of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2009 hockey tournament then visit rubaisport.com.

India will win Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, Vows Coach Harendra Singh

India is going to take part in the five-nation hockey tournament, Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, stating from April in Malaysia. Going into the tournament as current runners up, India now wants to end up winning the tournament this time. India’s interim coach Harendra Singh has recently said that his team would show attacking style of hockey in Malaysia and win the title. He thinks that India is well known for its attacking style and he also wants his team to hold on that reputation. Recent performance of India men’s hockey team is pretty much satisfactory as India convincingly won the 5-match test series 2-0 in New Zealand after winning the runners up title in Punjab Gold Cup hockey tournament.

Related article:

The Hindu