Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Highlights: India Go Down to New Zealand

That's it! Heartbreak for India as they suffer a 2-1 defeat against New Zealand in their second match. Skipper Simon Child and Andy Hayward scored a goal for New Zealand. It was New Zealand's second straight victory in the six-nation tournament. In their first match, India had played out a draw against Korea. After a rest day on Tuesday, India will play hosts Malaysia on April 8.

'55: GOAL! New Zealand have taken the lead yet again. Andy Hayward makes the full use of the Penalty Corner. Wow what a finish that is. Indian goalie PR Sreejesh looks stunned. Hayward was bang on target with a powerful flick to the left of an outstretched Sreejesh in front of the Indian goal.

'52: India have maintained an upper hand so far but their game has been far from impressive.

'49: It was a golden opportunity to take lead but India make a mess of their third Penalty Corner.

'46: India in an attacking mode as the fourth and final quarter begins.

'45: Third quarter ends.

'43: GOAL! India make make it 1-1. Akashdeep, who had missed earlier, scores this time after combining with Raghunath.

'38: GOAL! New Zealand take lead. New Zealand manage to break the deadlock. Skipper Simon Child deflects in Shay Neal's pass from a goalmouth melee.

'35: India miss another chance after Nikkin Thimmaiah misreads it.

'32: New Zealand attack and get their second penalty corner only to waste it.

'31: Raghunath it on the move as soon second-half starts. Akashdeep makes a mess of it.

Indian hockey team vs New Zealand.

© NDTV

At the half-way mark, it is still 0-0 despite some brave moves from the Indian team.

'30: Raghunath makes a run into New Zealand's D. He had Manpreet for support but the two get crowded out eventually. The rather feeble shot goes clear of the goal.

'26: Penalty corner for New Zealand. Kothajit commits a blunder. Kiwis however, fail to capitalise as the ball was not trapped properly.

'21: Match being played in the wings on both sides of the field. Both teams looking at counters to stun the opposition with but finishing has left something to be desired from.

'17: Penalty corner for India. The first of the match! India miss, fail to take advantage of a golden opportunity to take lead.

First quarter of the match sees no goals. Second quarter begins after a brief pause.

'12: It's been a see-saw battle in the first quarter of the match with New Zealand captain Simon Child leading from the front. His moves though have been thwarted well by the Indian defense which has, in turn, fed the mid and forward lines with frequent passes.

'10: Gurbaj gets an opportunity to test Kiwi goalkeeper but he hits the ball too high to bother the custodian.

'10: Match resumes after a ten-minute rain delay.

'9:Torrential rain halts play!

'7: Kiwis on the counter attack. Hugo Inglis shoots at the Indian goal but the shot goes awry.

'3: Rain picks up. It is pouring cats and dogs even as Indian forwards show early signs of aggression.

'1: The first whistle of the match gets the India vs New Zeland game underway!

* Both teams are ready for the national anthems!

* The referees for the match are Spain's Eduardo Lizana and Korea's Woo Jung Lim.

* Mandeep Singh will not start the match today. Reports reveal he has not yet recovered from an ankle injury he suffered during Sunday's match vs Korea. How much will India miss the services of the 20-year-old forward who also plays for Ranchi Rhinos in Hockey India League?

* It is raining heavily in Iphoh but both teams have come out and are warming up for their second match of Azlan Shah hockey tournament.

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Indian men split points with South Korea in their opening match of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Monday. India, who drew 2-2 versus the Koreans, will play New Zealand today and look for full points against the Black Caps.

World No. 9 India dominated the first half but the Koreans drew first blood. VR Raghunath managed a late drag-flick to save his side the blushes. Raghunath will be a key man against the Kiwis, ranked No. 7 in the world.

India coach Paul van Ass had said that he was happy with the effort against Koreans but not the result.

"I am not satisfied with the result but satisfied with the way we played. We haven't lost that is good and don't forget there is a long way to go," Van Ass had said after the match.

"I am very positive about the team. For me they played with their heart today and I liked what I saw. Especially in the first half we were exerting more pressure without much success."

The Indians have already booked a place in the 2016 Rio Olympics after defeating rivals Pakistan in Asian Games held last year. While many felt the side would test bench strength, Dutchman Van Ass has relied on his main players to bring glory on what is his debut assignment as coach.

The task against the Kiwis however, would not be easy.

New Zealand defeated hosts Malaysia 4-2 in their opening match on Sunday. The Black Sticks raced to a 2-0 lead through a penalty corner conversion from Nick Haig (4th minute) and skipper Simon Child's field goal. Although Malaysia equalised, New Zealand scored twice in the final five minutes to seal the match.

New Zealand finally managed to break the deadlock in the 38th minute when Child deflected in Neal's pass from a goalmouth melee.