India, Australia play to an exciting 2-2 draw

Sydney: India and Australia played to an exciting 2-2 draw in a crucial Group 'B' encounter of the Olympics hockey event at the State Hockey Centre on Tuesday.

The match was played at a very fast pace with both teams giving no quarter. They excelled in all departments of the game in one of the most pulsating matches under flood lights.

Mukesh Kumar had the adrenaline of the Indian fans flowing with a superb strike in the 35th second of the match. Mercurial centre forward Dhanraj Pillay did the splendid spade work for Mukesh Kumar to put the finishing touches in a pulsating start.

Both the teams indulged in a fast paced game and the Aussies were not to be denied their due. They quickly forced two penalty corners and specialist Jay Stacy beat Jude Menezes in the fourth minute to draw level.

With the defence of both the teams, including the goal-keepers, keeping pace with the game, there was exciting hockey all the way. Both the teams had their fair measure of chances and India pounced upon their second scoring opportunity through Baljit Singh Dhillon.

Dhillon had the Indian fans pumping up with a superb penalty corner conversion as India once again went 2-1 ahead by the 30th minute of the match.

Craig Victory's superb field goal in the 51st minute put the match on an even keel once again. Both the teams went all out and the Australians continued to maintain the pace of the game, while the Indians appeared to tire out in the later stages of the second half.

The Indians also brought in Deepak Thakur and Gagan Ajit Singh as substitutes to replace players like Mukesh Kumar.

The Indians had beaten Australia in a four-nation tournament in their run-up to the Olympics.