Rockingham, Australia: Comeback Kid SV Sunil and new sensation Yuvraj Walmiki combined well to help India men's hockey team overcome a fighting New Zealand 5-4 in the second international friendly here on Tuesday.
India took a three-goal lead within the first 22 minutes of play. But because of their poor defence, they allowed the Kiwis to stage a comeback and equalise early in the second half here at Hellswood Sports Complex in Mundrah.
Yuvraj's stunner off the feed of Sunil in the 60th minute once again gave India a lead and then Tushar Khandekar consolidated it three minutes later.
And though New Zealand managed to score another goal towards the end of the match, they fell short by a goal.
Sunil scored the first Indian goal in the very first minute of the match before setting up Yuvraj Walmiki to hit another one within two minutes.
V Raghunath then converted India's second penalty corner in the 22nd minute to give what seemed an assailable lead at 3-0.
The combination of Sunil and Yuvraj once again came alive after New Zealand cancelled out India's three-goal lead in the second half.
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