India rally to hold England

India staged a grand rally to hold England to a 3-3 draw in their opening match in the 1st women's Champions Challenge, at the Randburg Astro Turf stadium, in South Africa, on Saturday.

England squandered a two-goal advantage and had to settle for a draw.

In the other matches of the day, the United States fought back from a two-goal half-time deficit, to earn a 2-2 draw with hosts South Africa, while Korea thrashed Russia 3-1.

England started off well, with Leisa King pouncing on a loose ball following a goalmouth melee in the 13th minute to score.

A penetrating run from Anna Bennett soon set up a penalty-corner opportunity in the 15th minute when a diving Indian defender felled her. Denise Marston Smith unleashed a drag-flick into the top left hand corner to take England to a 2-0 lead.

But any hope England had of killing the tie off early were quashed five minutes later when India's Jyoti Sunita Kullu made a solo assault on goal.

England goalkeeper Hilary Rose closed down the oncoming striker's angle and made an attempt at a diving save. But Kullu kept possession and rounded the stranded England keeper to coolly convert India's first in the 20th minute.

Three minutes later, it was Marston Smith's turn to set up a scoring opportunity. The midfielder made a surging run into the D to win an England penalty corner. Mel Clewlow made no mistakes with a powerful drive into the bottom right hand corner.

India substituted goalkeeper Chanu Kshetrimayum with Helen Mary Innocent in the 28th minute who could only watch as 16-year-old Alex Danson narrowly shot high and wide of the far post moments after Innocent's arrival.

England looked set to head into the half-time interval with a 3-1 lead but India were awarded a penalty stroke in the final minute of the half when a shot from a penalty-corner hit Lucilla Wight's foot.

Kullu converted the stroke to score her own and India's second goal and reduce the deficit to a single goal at 3-2.

Eight minutes into the second half India equalised when Pritam Siwach latched onto a cross to convert from close range.

England went in search of a decisive goal and, in the 55th minute, captain Sarah Blanks saw her shot parried on the line by the Indian defence.

But England's hopes of victory took a blow when Kirsty Bowden - tracking back to close down an Indian counter-attack - was shown a yellow card in the 62 minute for a foul.

Four minutes later England were reduced to nine players when King was adjudged to have made a harsh challenge and joined Bowden in the sin bin.

India looked likely victors just a minute later when they were awarded their second stroke of the match but - following consultation with her umpiring colleague Gina Spitaleri - Lesley Nunn changed her decision and awarded a penalty-corner that India failed to convert.