JOHOR BAHRU: India produced flawless hockey to whip New Zealand 6-2 in their final Group B match of the Sultan Of Johor Cup (SOJC) International Hockey tournament at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, here last night.
The win saw India remain firmly at the top of Group B with seven points followed by Pakistan with four points while New Zealand are third with three points and Malaysia are still without any points in fourth place.
India, the defending champions showed their prowess as early as the second minute when Lakra Amandeep gave his team the lead by converting a penalty corner and five minutes later he was back at the spot to score India’s second, also from a penalty corner attempt.
The three-time SOJC title winners coached by C. R. Kumar added their third goal through striker Arun Sahani in the 12th minute before the Black Sticks managed to reduce the deficit when Luke Alfred struck a penalty corner in the 29th minute.
However, India managed to restore the three-goal advantage when Amandeep was on target again in the 35th minute to complete his hattrick.
Despite leading by a convincing margin, India continued to harass the New Zealand defence before Poovanna Boby Chandura made it 5-1 in the 52nd minute while Arun was on target again for his second goal of the night, just a minute later.
However, New Zealand managed to score another goal in the closing stages when Luke added his second of the night in the 60th minute.
Earlier, in a Group A match, Great Britain edged South Africa 2-1 and Australia drew 2-2 with Germany.
Today’s fixtures:
Germany vs Great Britain – 4.05 pm
South Africa vs Australia – 6.05 pm
Pakistan vs Malaysia – 8.35 pm
Team standing after last night’s matches:
Group A
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Germany | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 4 |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Great Britain | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| South Africa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
Group B
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| India | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 7 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 3 |
| Malaysia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
– BERNAMA
