India 1 – New Zealand 1
Half time 1 – 0 NZ
Scorers : NZ- Phil Burrows. India – Shivendra Singh
New Zealand and India drew the first match of the Men’s four test series, in Wellington on Saturday.
In a match dominated by both the teams in either half, it was a fair result. India would be pleased with a draw after their two consecutive defeats at the hands of the Australian development squad.
India were caught on the wrong foot within three minutes of the start when Phil Burrows scored from the right. Simon Child had gone past an Indian defender to set up Burrows for a shot at goal. Phil Burrows, skipper of the New Zealand side, was playing his 212th match for the Black Sticks.
It was in the second half that India got its act together. Plugging in the gaps that existed in the midfield, they made a few striking moves. Until then India had employed a hard hit into the circle as their main means of attack. India’s switch to the short-pass build-up, their main means of building up attacks caught the Kiwis unawares. Shivendra Singh used the opportunity to score from close range.
A New Zealand goal was disallowed as the umpire pointed to a Kiwi foot for the deflection to enter the Indian goal.
New Zealand was awarded three penalty corners, India just one.
India play the second Test on Sunday in Wellington.