Ipoh: Riding on two goals by Diwakar Ram, India made a fine rally from one goal deficit to outclass lowly Canada 3-1 and keep themselves in contention in the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here today.

India dominated the proceedings getting nine penalty corners as against two by their opponents but trailed 0-1 at the breather only to bounce back strongly in the second session with their forwards for once showing the bite in their attack.

India could have scored more but for the Canadian goalkeeper Mike Mahoot bringing out some fine saves under the bar.

Canada took the lead in the ninth minute from their second penalty corner with Wayne Fernandez's firm push sailing high into the net at the left side of Indian goalkeeper Adrian D Souza.

India equalised in the 45th minute with Diwakar Ram converting a penalty stroke which was awarded after SV Sunil's goal-bound push following India's fourth penalty corner hit a Canadian defender.

Young Diwakar, replacing Sandeep who was hit on his right leg by a powerful penalty corner shot, sent the Canadian goalkeeper on the wrong foot.

Nineteen-year-old Diwakar scored again in the 51st minute to put India ahead from their seventh penalty corner with a fine low push and the agile Canadian goalkeeper dived full length to his right but failed to stop the ball from finding the cage.

Two minutes later, India had a two-goal cushion from a combined team effort. Captain Sardara Singh's free hit touched the stick of SV Sunil and rolled towards Shivendra Singh who gently tapped the ball into the open goal to give his side their first win from three matches.

Source : PTI