New Delhi: India started their campaign on a rather positive after they beat the formidable New Zealand 3-2 in the U -21 Lal Bahadur Shastri Four Nation Memorial Hockey Tournament played here at the Dhyanchand Stadium today. 

India started the game on an aggressive note and did not allow the visitors to settle down. Indian girls started to exert pressure in the initial moments of the game itself and displayed great pace and agility which unsettled the Kiwis. India got a great chance to score in the second minute of the game when they were awarded a penalty corner, but could not capitalize. However in the eight minute India finally opened their account when Anupa Barla threaded the ball past the Kiwi goalkeeper through the right.

Four minutes later, however the Kiwis leveled the score through Sian Fremaux, but could not sustain the lead for long as India scored in the next minute itself as Anju Dhiman scored through a penalty corner. India maintained their stronghold over the match and with continuous attack especially from the right.

After the change of ends, India soon started attacking and got a chance or two to convert but failed. Seeing India attack vehemently, the Kiwis rose up their game and were rewarded aptly in the 43rd minute when Tara Hal scored the equalizer. With time running out and India looking to score more desperately than ever finally got the winning goal in the 68th minute, when the skipper Poonam Rani sweetly converted off a penalty corner.