DUBIOUS UMPIRING helped New Zealand beat India 2-1 in their third hockey Test here today. The Asian Games champions trail the four-Test match-up 0-2 and have effectively lost the series.
India lost the first Test at Dunedin 2-3 last Saturday and drew the second 2-2 at Ashourton yesterday. The fourth and final Test match will be played at Auckland Grammar School on June 23.
In front of a fairly large crowd today, India had the major share of the possession of the ball in the barren first half.
CR Kumar, assistant coach of the Indian team, attributed the loss to ‘questionable umpiring’, especially inside the circle.
"The umpiring was too bad. Too many advantages were given to the home team.
“My men have been playing well since we left the Indian shores. But when such mistakes are made by people officiating in matches, we cannot do anything," Kumar said after the match.
India had five shots at the goal compared to three by the rivals. But the New Zealanders scored against the run of play, which was mainly due to too many loose balls played by India.
India controlled the game throughout with most of the 10 youngsters on tour showing good resilence and ball play. They deservedly equalised in the 50th minute, following their second penalty corner through Skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon.
As the match appeared heading for a draw, Phillip Burrows increased the lead for the hosts in the 62nd minute.
Kumar said the team was playing as a well-knit unit and there was no cause for worry.
New Zealand, he said, might have won this series, but India would show its mettle in the World Cup qualifier in Edinburgh next month.
“It is not going to be as easy as it was today for them (Kiwis) in the high level tournaments,” he said.
Darren Singh, the dependable midfielder for the Kiwis, who will be playing his 100th International on Saturday at Auckland, was lucky to draw first blood in the 42th minute, when the ball went off the stick of Baljit Dhillion to enable him to score.
Kumar said, "Dhillon was right upto the ball and Smith should have been called for dangerous play.
“But the umpire allowed Smith to continue playing without any warning."