Jakarta: India drew the first match of the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament. India were held to a draw by arch-rivals Pakistan. Both teams scored one goal each.
Pakistan scored the equalizer with just seconds left in the match once morest defending champions India. Karti Selva for India and Abdul Rana for Pakistan found the target.
India took the lead in the first quarter. 20-year-old Karthi Selvam netted for India through a penalty corner. He was able to score in his debut match. India maintained a 1-0 lead in the next two quarters.
But just seconds before the end of the match in the fourth quarter, Abdul Rana scored the equalizer for Pakistan. The match soon ended in a draw.
India is playing in Pool A. Apart from India, Pool A also includes Pakistan, Japan and hosts Indonesia. Malaysia, Korea, Oman and Bangladesh will play in Pool B.
The absence of skipper Rupinder Pal Singh is a setback for India. Injured Rupinder will miss all matches in the tournament. Rupinder will be replaced by Birendra Lakra.
