Asia Cup hockey: India-Pak opening match ends draw

Jakarta: After letting in an equaliser in the final minutes of the match, the Indian hockey team yielded a draw against arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening match of the Asia Cup hockey competition on Monday.

Goalkeeper Suraj Karkera played his part well, saving at least five shots at Indian, post which kept India from falling, though he let the equaliser in.

It was Selvam Karthi who gave India the lead in the eighth minute from a penalty corner. Though India received many chances, it couldn't use them well. Pakistan's story was also no different. However, Pakistan's Rana Abdul finished a penalty corner save by Birendra Lakra on the goal line.

India's Forward, Simranjeet, missed a chance to make a goal in the final minute.

However, dominating the match, India had 55 per cent possession while Pakistan had 45. Both the teams made 11 shots each at the target as well as 19 circle penetrations each. When India won six penalty corners, the opposition won one.

The young Indian squad contained seven first-timers, and it committed many errors during the game. Birendra Lakra, Neelam Sanjiv Xess, Simranjeet Singh, SV Sunil and Karkera were the players who had some experience at the senior level.