India stun England to top pool
GOLD COAST: India men’s hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne was quite happy on Wednesday, and understandably so. His team had just overcome England 4-3 in their last league match, which helped them top their group and avoid playing reigning world champions Australia in the semi-finals.
But more important for him, his team had given a vastly improved performance and the players had managed to come back twice from a goal deficit and also score twice in the final two minutes against a strong opponent. Though England are ranked a rung below India, they are dangerous and India have struggled against them in recent times. On Wednesday, it looked like the old story would repeat itself as England went ahead early in the second quarter with David Condon sending in a brilliant reverse hit into the goal.
The I ndians came back strongly and scored two goals. Gurjant intercepted a pass from Ian Sloan to put Mandeep through, who set up Manpreet and the skipper smashed the ball past goalkeeper Gibson’s outstretched legs in the 33rd minute.
Then Rupinder Pal Singh earned India the crucial 2-1 lead, converting a penalty corner in the 51st minute. The match came alive in the fourth quarter and, for once, India were dictating terms.
But, just when it looked like India wouldn’t have any more troubles, Liam Ansell provided the lifeline, converting a penalty corner by crunching a clever corner routine past Sreejesh to make it 2-2. Soon Sam Ward scored off another penalty corner to make it 3-2. The tide had turned, and it looked like England would hold on to the lead till the end.
But then came Varun Kumar’s equaliser. His shot off a penalty corner was deflected past substitute goalkeeper George Pinner. India pushed for victory with a minute on the clock and scored the winner when Mandeep deflected the ball high into the net.
“The individual effort of most players was better than previous matches, so I am happy,” said Marijne. The Dutch coach said the players were more disciplined and the two goals in the final two minutes showed they are mentally strong and ready for the bigger challenges.
Marijne was also happy to have avoided Australia in the semi-finals.