Sloppy India loses to Ireland in hockey

India beat Malaysia 5-1 in its previous match to remain in contention for a place in the final. 

India’s hopes were further boosted as Argentina lost 1-3 to Australia in the day’s earlier game but the Indian players didn’t do themselves any favours with some sloppy defending costing them the game. India took the lead in only the 10th minute with Ramandeep Singh deflecting in a Varun Kumar penalty corner attempt. 

Soon enough, Varun got another chance from the penalty corner to double India’s lead but this time the dragflicker failed to get his shot on target. India pressed on in search for its second but Ireland held on until the end of the first quarter. 

Ireland played a much more aggresive game in the second quarter and was awarded a penalty corner for its efforts only for the decision to be overturned after India asked for a video referral. Ireland, however, was not to be denied in the 24th minute. 

The Indian defence was caught sleeping when some teamwork by Kirk Shimmins and Sean Murray found Shane O’Donoghue, who put the ball past Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera to score Ireland’s equaliser. India will next play in the 5th/6th place classification match on March 10.