India go down 1-3 to Great Britain in Tri-Nation opener

Santander (Spain): India squandered an early lead before going down 1-3 to Great Britain in the inaugural match of the Tri-Nation invitational tournament, their final warm-up event ahead of the Olympic Games, here.

Rain made the going soggy and helped the teams prepare for the conditions that are said to be prevailing in London where the Games will start on July 27. India started well and took the lead in the third minute through Shivendra Singh`s deflection off a Tushar Khandker cross on counter attack. Within two minutes, Indian goalkeeper and captain Bharat Chetri pulled off a two-stage save, sweeping the ball off the goal-line after having initially parried Rob Moore`s reverse hit. But James Tindall scored the equaliser through a 17th minute penalty corner and the teams were locked 1-1 at the half-time. In the opening minutes of the second half, Britain goalkeeper James Fair brought off a smart save on the near post off a Khandker`s attempt to score. Ashley Jackson put his team ahead in the 45th minute off a penalty stroke. Harry Martin made it 3-1 with a 62nd minute goal off a deflection from Chetri when Jackson scooped the ball. The next match in the tournament will feature Great Britain and Spain on Monday. India will play their next match against Spain on July 18. PTI