Highlights Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018, India vs Ireland: Sardar Singh and Co register 4-1 win, end campaign on 5th place

Varun Kumar is the Man of the Match.

India has six PC’s and they converted twice. Ireland had only one in the 4th Q.

Good game for India. They were challenged but they took care of it. The defence was tight and the best thing about their play was the minimum errors.

Tough game for India. But they controlled well. Kept their heads and won 4-1. They finish 5th in the Azlan Shah.

India has won 4-1.

Ireland have had a few attacks. But that is expected.

Pace drifting. Minutes left. India lead 4-1. India control the ball well.

Bad push and the PC is gone. Under four minutes left. India lead 4-1.

Ireland have their 1st PC.

Varun’s flick is wide. Ireland have a counter. And they have gone for a referral.

6th PC for India.

Great defending by India. Ireland trying to cut the scores. India looking for more goals.

And the video umpire says it’s not a stroke.

It’s a stroke. Varun’s flick hits a defender in the leg in front of goal. Ireland want a referral.

India get their 5th PC.

India down to ten in the field and Ireland have the goal. India lead 4-1.

GOAL. GOAL. Ireland have a goal. It is 1-4 in India’s favour. Julian Dale gets the goal.

Talwinder gets a green card. India down to ten.

4th Q begins. India leading 4-0. And they look good for more.

India have kept errors away. With no turn overs to Ireland, India has the attacking option. Result – India 4-0.

That’s the end of the 3rd Q. India lead 4-0.

Simranjeet and Gurjant almost pull off another goal. But the Irish GKIngram saves. India lead 4-0.

Great run by Simranjeet. Creates space while sprinting but the shot is saved by Irish GK. India 4-0.

Ireland attack. But the cross is from outside the circle. Rare Irish attack.

Lovely move from Simranjeet as Talwinder rushes in and crosses for Gurjant who finishes powerfully. India lead 4-0.

GOAL! GOAL! Talwinder to Gurjant. India are 4-0 up.

Varun’s flick is saved by the Irish GK.

India get their 4th PC.

More intensity by India today.  India is asking for a PC. They go for a referral.

India pushing hard. Ramandeep had the opportunity but couldn’t create space to take a snap shot. India lead 3-0.

GOAL! GOAL! Varun gets his 2nd goal. India lead 3-0. Powerful flick.

India get their 3rd PC.

Good skills by Sumit. India wants a PC. They go for a referral.

3rd Q begins. India attacking through Sumit Kumar.

It’s a hot and humid afternoon. Surely telling on the teams. India need to play more possession so they have the control and ball play. That’s been the difference between yesterday and today.

India had ten shots on goal with the Irish having one which was also deflected off an Indian stick.

Teams coming back for the 3rd Q. India will try and continue their possession which stood at 69 percent after two quarters.

Finally, a Nilam Xess cross found it’s way into the Irish striking circle. Lakra flashed and India had their 2nd goal.

Defending was tight. And India opened up space just before the Irish striking circle to strike. Time and again, Ireland intercepted crosses to keep India away.

It was a scrappy 2nd Q. But India played gritty hockey. They brought errors down. Kept the ball and created moves.

That’s the end of the 2nd Q. India lead 2-0.

Nilam Xess cross and Shilanand Lakra nudges it into the Irish goal, the ball deflecting off the keeper. India lead 2-0.

GOAL! GOAL! Lakra gets India’s 2nd goal. India lead 2-0.

Three minutes left in the 2nd Q. India lead 1-0. Ireland yet to test Karkera.

Nilakanta cross but Lakra can’t read quickly. India wasting too many chances of building upfront.

Both teams using tight defences. Extra ball play by Sumit Kumar and the initiative is gone. India struggling to increase the lead.

Great skills by Ramandeep. But the cross is well defended by Ireland. India almost finding another goal.

Nice move by India but Ireland tough in their circle.

India defend off an Irish attack. Cross by India but the deflection doesn’t come off. India lead 1-0.

Ireland rotating the ball unable to penetrate. India pressing. They are looking to increase the lead.

Shilanand Lakra has the ball but the Irish GK saves.

India attacking. Purposeful play.

Teams back for the 2nd Q. India have to push up their performance. India 1-0.

That’s the end of the 1st Q. India lead 1-0. Ireland still to take a shot on Indian goal. India play below par.

Errors piling up for India. Team refusing to control and think before passing.

Nilam Xess can’t trap cleanly. Ball is with Ireland. India lead 1-0. Scrappy play from India.

India keeping possession. Varun passes wide. It’s a turnover to Ireland.

Sumit Kumar trying to dazzle with individual skills. But Ireland take the ball.

The key here is ball control. If India achieve that, more goals will follow.

High speed games are possible with a high level of technical proficiency. India attacking now.

Yet again Nilakanta in a hurry to release.

GOAL! GOAL! India ahs the lead. Varun scores with a direct flick. India 1-0.

It’s a 2nd PC after 2-3 forwards try shots at the goal.

And a Talwinder shot gets India their 1st PC.

India starting off strongly. But mistakes in their play not making them dangerous.

Now Simranjeet gives away the ball. He needs to understand the language of holding and releasing the ball.

Good move from Simranjeet but the ball runs onto his feet.

There they go. India straight into the attack. Close call for Ireland.

For the record – India and Ireland played yesterday and Ireland registered a 3-2 shock win. This is a repeat and the winner gets to finish 5th in the tournament.

The National Anthem’s are over. Seconds away from the match.

Ireland and India on the pitch. It’s quite a muggy day.

The teams are ready now. Ireland and India now moments away from coming onto the pitch.

Interestingly, Australia say that the Azlan Shah Cup is the perfect preparation for the CWG. The Indian team management didn’t think so. But let’s go with what the management believes in. And things will come together in today’s match and for the rest of the year.

There have been disappointments. And, India gets things right against Ireland in what is a match to salvage their reputation. Can’t keep saying this is a young team – the defence of Amit Rohidas, Varun Kunar and Dipsan Tirkey played the HWL Finals in Bhubaneswar.

India will start play with Suraj Karkera in goal. He has had a good tournament. And hopefully, his progress continues.

Despite a rest day on Thursday, Coach Marijne said India was low on energy on Friday and that was a reason to lose. Well, if they win today, then the low energy theory was bunkum. And if they lose to Ireland for the 2nd consecutive match, things are seriously out of place.

India at 6th spot in the FIH rankings need to play a better game than they dished out yesterday. A win will not really heal the wounds but will at least make them fly home in a positive frame of mind.

India, almost on the cusp of at least playing for the 3rd/4th spot crashed badly against Ireland losing 2-3 and now play the Irish again in a repeat of yesterday’s match.

Welcome to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. It’s the Final Day. And starts with India taking on Ireland for 5th/6th position. Hosts Malaysia play Olympic Champions Argentina for the bronze and the Final is between World Champions Australia and England.

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live blog of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup’s 5th/6th place play off between India and Ireland.