India win 2nd hockey Test against England, level series
India bounced back in style from their first match loss by recording a 4-3 victory over England in the second of their three-match hockey Test series here.
|Last Updated: Aug 01, 2009, 10:44 AM IST|Source: Bureau
Birmingham: India bounced back in style from their first match loss by recording a 4-3 victory over England in the second of their three-match hockey Test series here.The Indians produced a fine display of speed and skill to erase a two-goal deficit and notched up their first win of the European tour at the University of Birmingham.
Arjun Halappa (35th minute), Dhananjay Mahadik (41st), Rajpal Singh (43rd) and Gurvinder Chandi (65th min) scored for India, while England`s marksmen were Ashley Jackson (22nd and 69th) and Jonty Clarke (26th min).
England, who won the first Test 3-1 on Wednesday, started
aggressively but met with stiff resistance from the Indian
defenders, particularly from Sardar Singh in a his new role of
sweeper back.
Vikram Pillay and Gurbaj Singh joined the Haryana Police
deputy superintendent in thwarting the initial England forays
amidst a light drizzle accompanied by a wave of chilly wind.
The hosts nearly took the lead as early as the sixth
minute when Simon Egerton broke through the middle but was
foiled by Indian goalkeeper Adrian D`souza who saved a shot
high to his right.
In the eighth minute, India had their first opportunity
to score but Tushar Khandker failed to control SV Sunil`s
powerful cross to the back post.
England, who earned six penalty corners in the first
half, had to wait for the last one to net the opener. Ashley
Jackson got it spot on in the 22nd minute as his powerful
flick finally beat Adrian D`souza.
The home team could have doubled up the a minute later
but Simon Egerton, teed up by James Tindall, pushed wide.
India went into full throttle but soon fell into further
arrears as England built up on a turnover in the 26th minute.
Matt Daly`s shot was well saved by D`souza low to his
left but before Bimal Lakra could react Jonty Clark did
brilliantly to knock home the loose ball.
India got their opening goal at the stroke of half-time
from their first penalty corner after Chandi was blocked
inside the circle.
However, Dhananjay Mahadik`s flick was taken by custodian
James Fair dangerously resulting in another penalty corner.
Arjun Halappa fired a low flick into the bottom right corner
to give a 2-1 score at half time.
India returned for the second half with renewed vigour
and they turned the game on its head with two goals in quick
succession.
Sardar Singh was outstanding with his crisp passes to
Birendra Lakra, Rajpal, Chandi and Pillay as the quartet gave
the English defence no respite.
Chandi moved into the circle with a solo and an
obstruction lead to India`s third penalty corner in the 41st
minute, from which Mahadik scored the equaliser to the delight
of the huge India supporters at the stands.
Bureau Report
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