India held by Egypt in Azlan Shah opener

Ipoh, Malaysia:

India conceded a last-gasp goal to settle for a 2-2 draw against a lowly Egypt in their opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament on Sunday.

The Indians, who were runners-up last year, scored through Sandeep Singh (14th minutes) and Shivender Singh (50th), while Mohamed Hasan (8th) and Amr El Saied (70th) sounded the board for the Egyptians.

In a match played on a soggy pitch following heavy downpour, the Egyptians took the lead in the eighth minute when Hasan converted a penalty corner.

India went on the offensive and equalised in the 15th minute in a similar fashion through their penalty corner specialist Sandeep.

The Indians kept attacking but poor finishing meant that scoreline read 1-1 at half-time.

The Indians finally took the lead in the 50th minute through another penalty corner, converted by Shivender.

Undeterred, the Egyptians kept up the pressure on India before snatching a 70th-minute goal through a penalty corner by Saied.