HWL 2017 Final: India arrive ‘too’ late against England, lose 2-3

A shoddy India left it too late in the day in a Pool B match of the Hockey World League (HWL) Final against England in Bhubaneswar on Saturday and lost 2-3, after drawing their opening match of the tournament against Australia. (AS IT HAPPENED)

A soft defensive lapse by Harmanpreet Singh highlighted India’s play as the hosts failed to arrive in the first three quarters, at the end of which England led 2-0.

Akashdeep Singh (47th minute) and Rupinder Pal Singh (50th) drew India level, lifting spirits and voices in a packed Kalinga Stadium. But Sam Ward came back to score his second goal (43rd and 57th) with three minutes to full-time, which sealed the deal in visitors’ favour.

England took lead in the 25th minute through David Goodfield, who benefitted from India goalkeeper Suraj Karkera’s lapse in concentration as the ball ricocheted off his pads to cross the goal-line.

The defeat means India slip to the last position in Pool B with just one point after a draw and a loss. However, it doesn’t hurt their chances of progressing to the knockouts as the format ensures all eight teams play the quarterfinals.

India were almost not present in the first three quarters of the match, where more than the missed chances, the soft errors in the backline hurt the hosts.

Of those crucial mistakes, Harmanpreet’s failure at a simple trapping looked silliest of the lot. He had Sam Ward within five metres of him, and the England forward latched onto the loose ball, turned around and beat Akash Chikte to give England the cushion.

Chinglensana Singh perhaps got the best field-goal chances for India in the match, but on both occasions (17th and 34th minute), he failed to beat Harry Gibson in the English post.

“Players are not doing it (being erroneous) on purpose. Speed wasn’t good enough. We held the ball for too long and lost it (possession) too much. As a team, the level wasn’t good enough like yesterday (against Australia),” said India’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne after the match.

India lifted their game into the fourth quarter converting two penalty corners.

In the 47th minute, Akashdeep ensured the rebound off England goalkeeper Gibson didn’t go waste as he tapped the ball in. Another PC three minutes later was this time flicked straight in by Rupinder to make it 2-2.

The goals woke up the 9000-strong crowd but Ward’s second goal of the match three minutes before full-time silenced the shouts of “India…India”.

The hosts have a rest day on Sunday and return to the pitch on Monday to take on Germany in their last pool game.