Hero Hockey World League Final: Dark horse India stuns Great Britain, seals semifinal berth
A classic case of David versus Goliath was on the cards as winless India took on undefeated Great Britain in the quarterfinal of the Hero Hockey World League Finals. The odds certainly weren’t in favour of the hosts, who’d scored just 2 goals in the tournament, opposite the mighty Brits, who’d defeated world champs Australia and the more-than-competent Belgium.
The match was expected to be fast-paced from the get-go, and it didn’t disappoint. The visitors looked the more organised, fluid team, but India’s tenacity, which has been a stand-out throughout the tournament, was on display as they kept the Brit offense off their backs.
A penalty corner from GB was kept out by the ever-reliable Sreejesh in the 10th minute, and the Indian offense was shut down completely by the opposition as the first quarter ended with the scoreboard untouched. Britain had converted one of eight penalty corners in the tournament, coming into the match.
India earned their first penalty corner in the 4th minute of the second quarter and drag-flick specialist VR Raghunath sent it screaming past the British custodian. India’s third goal of the tournament was their most important thus far.
Great Britain attacked furiously from then on, but India’s defense was more than upto the task as they denied them a foothold. The first half ended with India leading 1-0.
India looked unrecognisable in the second half, with Mohammad Amir almost netting India’s brace just minutes after the buzzer sounded. Veterans Sardar and Ramandeep made a beautiful tandem play, and the crowd went silent as the latter’s shot went off the goalpost.
A little later, youngster Talvinder Singh would collect a precise scoop pass and keep his cool to score from an angle, getting the better of the British custodian. The stadium erupted, partly in joy, partly in disbelief.
India, revitalized by their goals, did not sit back and enjoy the lead. They created more opportunities and almost capitalised on them. With the third quarter almost winding down, the visitors were awarded a penalty corner, which they didn’t capitalise on, and India had to stay consistent for just 15 more minutes for a famous win.
Great Britain were frantic in the last quarter, earning a penalty corner soon into it. The trap was botched, but some lucky deflections saw the ball past the Indian posts. The late-goal monster reared its ugly head, but was quickly buried, as Sreejesh saved another shot right after Amir's inspired shot on goal went wide.
With 5 minutes left, Great Britain substituted their goalkeeper for a kicking fullback, which showed their desperation. The hunter became the hunted as India kept out two penalty corners with the last grains falling through.
The final buzzer blew shortly after, almost as if to remind everyone that they weren’t dreaming. India had done the unthinkable! They’d knocked out the best-looking team in the tournament up till then, and made it to the semis. They will now face the winner of the Argentina-Belgium quarterfinal. The staunch Birendra Lakra was named ‘Man of the Match’.