New Delhi: Sandeep Singh once again turned out to be the hero for India as his double strike earned India a hard-fought 3-2 win over Canada that virtually put the hosts into the final of the Olympic qualifiers here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Wednesday.
India led 1-0 at half-time through a goal by Shivender Singh. The lead was doubled by Sandeep's penalty-corner conversion after the break. However, Mark Pearson and Scott Tupper struck two goals in the space of three minutes to draw level.
With the match opening up, India went on an all out attack and secured their fifth PC in the 61st minute, which proved decisive. Sandeep stepped up to net the winner, triggering celebrations in the crowd.
Canada kept India on the edge in the last ten minutes but the hosts held on for their fourth straight victory to continue the unbeaten run. However, the Canadians aren't out yet and can still make it to the final provided they beat France and India don't lose to Poland.
The match was miles ahead on competitive level compared to India's three one-sided wins before this. Canada matched India's attacking display, giving a hard time to the hosts' defence. Pearson and Rob Short - top-scorers for Canada in the qualifiers - didn't let Indian defenders breath easy throughout the match.
The end-to-end stuff benefited India first, through Shivender. Uthappa sent in a corner from the left flank, which rose off a Canadian stick and the ball fell in front of Shivender. He raised his hand for a foul but the umpire played advantage that allowed the Indian forward to flick it in the net.
India came out attacking harder after the break, but were unlucky. SV Sunil's shot hit the crossbar and Sarvanjit Singh's hit at the end of a solo run from the right was saved by Canadian goalkeeper Antoni Kindler.
But Sandeep couldn't be left out of play for long. India's third PC in the 40th minute saw Sandeep slapping a hard push in the top right corner. India now had a cushion of one goal, but not for long. The next three minutes saw Canada stage a stunning comeback through goals from Pearson (50th) and Tupper (53rd), who converted the first PC Canada earned.
The game was on a knife's edge now as both teams refused to bow down, raiding the opposition's circle incessantly. Richard Hildreth then received a yellow card, which seemed to have turned events in India's favour.
Down to ten men, Canada conceded fifth PC to provide India the opportunity they were looking for, and tournament's top goal-scorer Sandeep made no mistake to take his tally to nine. But more importantly, it sealed India’s fourth consecutive win.
Though India won, the narrow margin of victory didn't please coach Michael Nobbs, who wasn't particularly happy with the finishing.
"We missed 13-14 chances. They had only two shots at the goal from which they scored. Our finishing was not good. We were poor inside the four-metre area," he said.
Only a miracle can now deny India, who have 12 points, a chance to play the 1st-2nd place qualification match. India, France and Poland may end up level on 12 points if India lose to Poland and France beat Canada on Friday, bringing goal difference into play. But India - who have scored 32 goals and conceded just six - have a healthy goal difference of +26, which makes them firm favourites to finish on top of the table.
The hosts will take on Poland in their last league match on Friday after a rest day in the qualifiers on Thursday.
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