VALENCIA: Putting behind its disappointing opening match loss against Germany, a valiant India rallied from a goal deficit to register a 2-1 win over Ireland in its second game of the six-nation Invitational hockey tournament .

The win gave India its first success in the tournament after having lost 4-0 to Germany in its opening fixture.

Both the teams started cautiously, playing the ball on the flanks and using the width to dictate play. Ireland took the lead as early as in the fourth minute through Kyle Good’s goal. Stunned by the goal, India rallied strongly and earned its first penalty corner in the 19th minute. Rupinder Pal Singh’s initial flick was stopped by Ireland goalkeeper David Harte, but Talwinder Singh, lurking inside the circle, pounced on the rebound and slotted the ball in to level the scores in the 22nd minute. India took the lead within minutes of the third quarter when skipper Sardar Singh sounded the boards in the 32nd minute.—PTI