Rio Olympics 2016 Hockey, Highlights - India vs Canada: Canada Hold India to 2-2 Draw
Having already qualified for the Rio Olympics 2016 quarterfinals, India were held to a 2-2 draw by Canada in their final Pool B match. Catch hockey highlights of India vs Canada here
Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep scored for India but it wasn't enough as Canadian captain Scott Tupper found the back of the net twice from the penalty corner to hold India to a 2-2 draw. India have still not confirmed their third place in the group and now will have to wait for the result of the Argentina's final group match against Ireland. If Argentina win they will pip India to the third spot. Catch hockey highlights of India vs Canada here. (SCHEDULE | MEDAL TALLY)
22:32 hrs IST: Thank you for joining us today. We will see you for the quarterfinal tie now.
22:25 hrs IST: Canada hold on for a gritty draw. India finish the group stages on 7 points and are currently in third place. Argentina, who are fourth, take on Ireland and that match will determine, which of the two teams will finish third in Pool B.
22:19 hrs IST: Goaalll!! Scott Tupper scores from the penalty corner again to bring Canada back on level terms. It's 2-2 now!
22:18 hrs IST: Sreejesh blocks it brilliantly!
22:12 hrs IST: Penalty corner for Canada!
22:11 hrs IST: The third quarter starts. Can India hold on to their lead?
22:10 hrs IST: The third quarter comes to an end. India lead 2-1
22:00 hrs IST: Goalll! Ramandeep scores to give India a 2-1 lead. Exceptional pass from Raghunath!
21:58 hrs IST: No goal for Canada!! They were rejoicing but replays showed that the ball had hit the knee of a Canadian player
21:55 hrs IST: Scott Tupper levels the score for Canada. It's 1-1 all now!! Quick reply from the Indians!!
21:54 hrs IST: Penalty corner for Canada!!
21:53 hrs IST: Goaalll!! Akashdeep gives India the lead. Brilliant reverse stick shot!
21:51 hrs IST: Penalty corner for India - their third!!
21:48 hrs IST: We are underway in the third quarter!
21:36 hrs IST: And the buzzer goes for the second quarter. Still goalless between the two teams!
21:35 hrs IST: Canada survive again! Brave, brave defending!
21:33 hrs IST: Sardar Singh wins India's second penalty corner!
21:31 hrs IST: Another chance for Canada, and again India just about get it clear. The Indians have come under pressure in the second half.
21:28 hrs IST: Out comes the stretcher! Sad news for Indians fans, Sunil has been one of India's best players in the tournament so far.
21:27 hrs IST: India's S.V Sunil seems to have injured his wrist.
21:26 hrs IST: The Indians are relying on long balls into the 'Dee' but are unable to get clear-cut chances
21:24 hrs IST: Canada have started the second quarter well.
21:21 hrs IST: Brilliant save from Canadian goalie David Carter to deny India the lead.
21:20 hrs IST: We are underway in the second quarter.
21:17 hrs IST: The first quarter ends 0-0!
21:16 hrs IST: Meanwhile, Canada almost scored at the other end. Missed an open goal there. Lucky escape for the Indians!
21:15 hrs IST: Raghunath takes but is bravely defended by the Canadians.
21:14 hrs IST: Penalty corner for India!
21:13 hrs IST: Big chance for Canada! They hit India on the counter but it's brilliantly defended
21:10 hrs IST: A reverse stick shot Chandanda but its beaten away by the Canada goalkeeper.
21:09 hrs IST: Hamanpreet whips in a dangerous ball from the left but it is deflected out by the Canadians.
21:05 hrs IST: India again make their way into the Canadian 'Dee' with a slick one-two but still no end product. But this is a great start by Team India!
21:03 hrs IST: Dangerous pass from Surinder, whizzes past the front of Canadian goal but there was no Indian player near the ball. Just needed a tap in!
21:01 hrs IST: Great passing in the 'Dee' but Canada survive and get the ball out.
20:59 hrs IST: For all those who don't know, India are already through to the quarters.
20:56 hrs IST: Proud moment for all Indians as the national anthem reverberates around the stadium!
20:46 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to the live blog of India vs Canada Pool B match. India are aiming for third place and a win against Canada will nail that down.
© AFP
On Thursday, when the top two sides in Pool A went head to head, it was in Pool B where the real drama unfolded.
European champions the Netherlands (world ranking 2) saw off a strong challenge from world No. 5 India to claim a 2-1 victory over the champions of Asia, guaranteeing a top two finish in Pool B for Oranje.
Mink van der Weerden netted the winning goal with a trademark penalty corner six minutes from the end, extending his remarkable record of having scored in each of the 11 Olympic matches that he has played since his first appearance at London 2012.
Despite the defeat, India's place in the quarterfinals was confirmed as Argentina and Ireland, who currently sit fourth and fifth in the standings respectively, will be unable to overhaul India's points tally.
Argentina and Ireland play each other in their final pool match on Friday. For Argentina, a draw or a win against Ireland will see them through to the last-eight, while a defeat would put Ireland into the knockouts.
India play Canada in their final Pool B match, knowing that a win would confirm a third place finish in the pool and set up a quarterfinal against the team that ends second in Pool A.
The final round of Pool A matches take place on Friday, with Great Britain playing Spain, Belgium taking on New Zealand and Australia facing host nation Brazil.
With Belgium and Spain already certain of places in the quarterfinals, the remaining berths will be filled by two of three teams: Australia (6 points), Great Britain (4 points) and New Zealand (4 points).