FIH Hockey World League Final 2017: England defeat India 3-2 in hard-fought match
In the second pool stage match of Group B, India conceded a late goal to lose the match to England 2-3 at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar. Team India was two goals behind but a couple of brilliant goals from penalty corners helped them to mount a comeback into the match. However, Sam Ward scored three minutes before the close and helped England register their first win of the tournament.
From the first quarter, India got an early chance in the first minute but could not score the goal. It was great display by the Indian forward but they could not convert the chances into goals. England also made just one circle entry in this quarter. At the end of first quarter, the scores were equal at 0-0.
In the second quarter, the Indian attackers showed aggressive intent but the England defenders held their nerve. Also, the visitors also did not allow the Indian attackers to play in their aggressive style. England's David Goodhill gave them the lead in the 25th minute with a goal that went off the India keeper Suraj Karkera's pads. The first half ended with England having a 1-0 lead.
The third quarter saw both teams looking to put pressure on each other. Sam Ward doubled the lead for England in the 43rd minute thanks to some poor defending by India. Soon after, India earned two successive penalty corners but Harmanpreet could not get past the defence. England led 2-0 at the end of 3rd quarter.
India began the fourth quarter on an aggressive note with a penalty corner in the 47th minute. England were down to 10 men and a save from the England goalkeeper allowed a shot to be hit by Akashdeep Singh on the rebound, which gave India a chance to come back into the match.
Rupinder Pal Singh levelled the score with a great penalty corner shot in the 50th minute. Both teams fought hard to ensure they took the lead but three minutes before the end, Sam Ward scored his second goal with a wonderful as England won the match 3-2.
India remain at the bottom of Pool B. Their last group match will be against Germany on 4th December.