By IANS,
Ipoh (Malaysia) : India started their campaign at the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament on a losing note, going down 3-4 to New Zealand here Thursday.
Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, who made a comeback to the national side, scored a hat-trick converting three penalty corners, but his efforts went in vain.
India made a good start to the match and were leading 2-0 in the first half with Sandeep finding the net twice.
However, the resilient Kiwis came from behind and scored twice before going into the breather. They struck two more goals in the second half to pocket full points.
Andrew Hayward, Simon Child, Phillip Burrows and Gareth Brooks were the goal scorers for New Zealand.
Hayward first reduced the margin for the Kiwis through a penalty corner and then Child deflected home a pass to equalize.
In the second half, the Kiwis came out with more purpose and attacked the Indian goal from the start. They were rewarded soon as Philip and Brooks slammed back-to-back goals.
Sandeep got one back for India converting his third penalty corner of the day.
The Indians tried hard to equalise but could not breach the Kiwi defence.