India lose to Britain in tri-nation hockey

Santander (Spain), July 15 (IANS): India lost 1-3 to Great Britain in the inaugural match of the tri-nation invitational hockey tournament, the team’s final warm-up event ahead of the London Olympics.

Rainy Saturday made the going soggy and helped the teams prepare for the conditions that are said to be prevailing in London.

India started well and took the lead in the third minute through Shivendra Singh‘s deflection off a Tushar Khandker’s cross. Within two minutes, Indian goalkeeper and captain Bharat Chetri pulled off two saves, sweeping the ball off the goal-line after having initially parried Rob Moore’s reverse hit.

James Tindall scored the equaliser through a 17th minute penalty corner and the teams were locked 1-1 at half-time.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Britain’s goalkeeper James Fair made a smart save on the near post off a Khandker shot. Ashley Jackson put his team ahead in the 45th minute from a penalty stroke. Harry Martin made it 3-1 with a 62nd minute goal off a deflection by Chetri when Jackson scooped the ball.

The next match in the tournament will feature Britain and Spain, on Monday. India will play their next match against Spain, on Wednesday.