India 2 Egypt 2

Yet again a soft start for Harendra Singh's boys as they were held 2-2 by the lowest ranked team in the competition in their opening match at the Azlan Shah Stadium here on Sunday.

Despite playing on a heavy pitch due to a downpour prior to the match, both teams set a fast and furious pace, especially the Egyptians who took the lead in the 8th minute through Mohamed Hassan's penalty corner strike.

Stunned by the goal, India doubled their initiative in attack and managed to equalise from a penalty corner in the 15th minute when penalty corner specialist Sandeep Singh sounded the board.

India launched waves of attack after the equaliser but failed to change the scoreline before the break.

Their reputation highly at stake, especially after having finished as the runner-up last year, the Indians continued to apply the pressure and deservedly took the lead through another penalty corner, this time taken by Shivendra Singh in the 49th minute.

The goal however, failed to dampen the spirit of the Egyptians who pulled off a unlikely draw in the 70th minute through Mohamed El Saied's penalty corner effort after a lapse in concentration by the Indian defence.

Egypt coach Jerzy Wybieralski said the players need to show a consistent and stable performance and need a little bit of luck to win when playing against a team like India.