Highlights Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2017, India vs Great Britain, hockey scores and updates: India held by Great Britain

Not the result that India wanted but a well earned point for Great Britain: Arasu

GB almost pulled it off at the end when they had a PC but Phil Ropers flick went wide. India have a lot to think. Even with more than 60 percent possession, they couldn’t convert that domination into goals. They missed a few; made errors in the midfield and trapping let them down in the GB striking circle. Yet a lot to look forward to in the next matches for India. Scores for India: Akashdeep Singh and Mandeep Singh. Scorers for GB: Tom Carson and Alan Forsyth.

AND THAT’S IT. THE OPENING MATCH BETWEEN GB AND INDIA HAS ENDED IN A 2-2 DRAW.

And the PC flick is wide. Seconds being counted down as the scores are still 2-2.

56 seconds left in the match and GB get their 1st PC in the match. Can they pull off a match-winner?

After the video umpire says no PC, another GB attack and Koh points to a first PC for GB in the match. India asks for a referral.

That was close as Surender clears but GB pull in another attack and now ask for a PC. Malaysian umpire Koh Eric goes to the video umpire. (01.07, 4th Q)

One thing is for sure. GB’s attacks have had penetration. And they haven’t thrown away chances. India have themselves to blame if the match ends in a draw. Both teams now reluctant to attack mindlessly incase they loose the ball to a counter-attack. (02.52, 4th Q)

GB swarming back and score the equaliser from a goalmouth melee. Ian Sloan finds an unmarked Alan Forsyth, who had the easiest task of puttign the ball pass a bewildered Sreejesh: Arasu (04.40, 4thQ)

Muddle inside the Indian striking circle and even though they had chances to clear, India was in two minds. GB ensures they stay in the match as Ian Sloan sends the ball inside the circle and Alan Forsyth finds the equaliser with a deft tap. It’s 2-2. (05.46, 4th Q)

AND GB HAS THE EQUALISER YET AGAIN. IT’S 2-2 WITH AROUND 7 MINUTES LEFT IN THE MATCH.

India keeping possession; looking for another goal to make the match safe. Rotating from the GB circle back into their own half. Can they find a third goal? (09.15, 4th Q)

It’s Manpreet to Sunil and Mandeep flicks it in for India to lead 2-1. INDIA LEAD 2-1 IN THE 4TH QUARTER.

It may be a stalemate so far, but it would take just one mistake from either side to gift the match to their rivals.This last 15 minutes is crucial for both sides: Arasu (13.45, 4th Q)

LAST QUARTER BEGINS. INDIA AND GB TIED AT 1-1.

Just keeping possession is not paying for India. They have had shots on goal but surprisingly have lost control of the ball when in good positions inside the GB striking circle. Another 15 minutes coming up; it’s the last quarter. Scores are 1-1.

At the end of the 3rd Q, it’s still locked at 1-1.

This Indian team is struggling in creating the openings as they seem to be playing without any apparent playmaker. They will need to buck up not only for the remaining of the match but also with tough opponents including defending champions Australia waiting for them: Arasu (00.58, 3rd Q)

India pushing hard. GB using the left flank to build up. Mor, Harmanpreet and Surender at the back. Rotating the ball. Looking for gaps. India holding and not letting GB build up an attack. (03.09, 3rd Q)

Slight more urgency from both the teams now. Space opening up in the midfield as they leave their marking. A goal here could be crucial for both the teams. (05.55, 3rd Q)

India are showing more urgency and keeping the GB defence back pedalling, However, they have been unable in creating much of a goal scoring chance: Arasu (08.16, 3rdQ)

Both sides playing sluggish hockey in the 3rd quarter. It’s extremely tight man-to-man marking. No space being given.(09.58, 3rd Q)

And it’s not a PC. GB keep their referral.

Silky moves from Akashdeep. But Mandeep can’t trap cleanly in the GB circle. The move, however, leads to India getting their 2nd PC. GB wants a video referral.

3RD QUARTER STARTS.

Teams are back on the field for the start of the 3rd quarter. GB has plodded on in the midfield not allowing too much space in their defence. But India needs to sure on the ball when moving into attack; a few good chances have gone abegging.

It’s been a pretty okay first two quarters from the Indian team. They have had some pressure from the GB team and were coping quite well till Griffiths made that beautiful run down the right flank. Marking was loose in that moment and Carson had his space in the Indian goal marked out perfectly. India made good use of the only PC in the match and Akashdeep latched on to a GB goalkeeper rebound. Signs are that GB will try and go all out for a winner.

AT THE END OF THE 2ND Q, IT’S 1-1.

All three – Sardar, Harjeet and Manpreet Singh in the middle. Is this a sign of the midfield of the future? India playing structured hockey despite the equaliser from GB. The GB goal in a way was the only time the Indian defence gave that much of space to the GB forward line.

19' GOAL! @akashdeeps985 is quick to tuck in the rebound and give India the lead. Score: IND 1-0 GBR.#INDvGBR #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/VzjROuvtAK

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) April 29, 2017

Lovely move from Christopher Griffiths to Tom Carson who is perfectly positioned and sends a stunner past Sreejesh. It’s a rasping drive but should have been saved by the Indian goalkeeper as the ball was on the right pad. (03.01, 2ndQ)

GB HAS EQUALISED. IT’S 1-1.

India is 1-0 up. Some confusion regarding the scorer. But they are attributing it to Akashdeep Singh. India lead 1-0 (08.33, 2nd Q)

AND THAT’S THE GOAL. INDIA IS UP 1-0 AFTER AKASHDEEP SCORES PICKING UP THE REBOUND OFF THE GB GOALKEEPER. (11.09, 2nd Q)

An intentional slow down on the pace by GB here. Trying to rein in the Indian forwards.And India get their 1st PC of the match in the 2nd quarter (11.20, 2nd Q)

The 2nd quarter is on. Score-line still 0-0. Nice move yet again but Mandeep wants to be cute as his back pass is long for Sunil. (13.33, 2nd Q)

It’s the end of the 1st quarter. India had the edge and could have been a goal up but for some bungling in the GB striking circle by Mandeep Singh. Yet, a promising start to the match by India.

Run down the right flank by Pardeep Mor and the GB goalkeeper saves. Then a great run by Talwinder but his pass goes on the feet of Mandeep. India showing intent and looking to get goals.

Five minutes play left in the 1st quarter. Tight marking by GB while India search for gaps. Lovely move started by Sardar and then Akashdeep but the pass to Sunil inside the GB striking circle slightly too long.

It has been a disciplined defense from the British side as India keep possession of the ball for long spells. But so far they have not been able to make much headway into the circle: Arasu

Sardar almost got it through. But Talwinder couldn’t handle the awkward bounce. Sardar shifting position to right back. Manpreet playing central midfielder. Lot of changing positions by the players. Ball control is the essence here.

Tight man to man marking from both sides in this early stages. Neither team able to move the ball forward into their opponents danger zone: Arasu

India rotating the ball as the first round of substitutions are ready to enter. Sardar playing left back at the moment. Great ball from Harmanpreet. But Sunil slow off the mark.

And there they go. GB pulling back into their own half. In the Indian goal it’s Sreejesh. GB in the Indian half now. But India has the ball. Building up something here.

And that’s the Indian National Anthem. Teams meeting each other. Interesting match up ahead. Both teams in a huddle now. Match is seconds away.

Teams have trooped in. Both the National flags are in front. And we get ready for the national anthem. It begins with GB’s anthem.

Match to start soon. Players are off the ground. India has beaten GB or England in the last two big matches they played. Both the times the score-line was 2-1; in the QF at the World League Final in Raipur and then in the pool match of the London Champions Trophy. This, however, is the start of a new season.

Will be interesting to understand the ‘style’ that Oltmans wants to follow. GB coming into Malaysia after some really cold weather back home. They would be glad that after the rains, the temperatures will be down and they could play some intense and hard hockey.

Both India and GB are warming up for a second time. The skies have cleared up and hopefully we should see a classic opening game from two teams who are building towards the 2018 World Cup.

Indian coach Roelant Oltmans waits for the rains to stop. India play GB in the Azlan opener.#azlanshah.#indianhockey pic.twitter.com/dfA8HNz6vr

— Sundeep Misra (@MisraSundeep) April 29, 2017

Thunderstorm delays 26th Azlan Shah opening match between India- GB. pic.twitter.com/HtaSoLE8f2

— Sundeep Misra (@MisraSundeep) April 29, 2017

UPDATE: India’s first match has been delayed to bad weather. Play expected to begin at 2:45 PM IST.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of the first round of matches at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament featuring India’s encounter with Great Britain. India will be looking to better their runners-up finish from last season and claim the gold medal this time around. Will they be able to do so? Stick around for all the updates