India performed a goalless draw in opposition to England to take residence one level every in an important Pool D, Hockey World Cup match on the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Sunday.
In an exhilarating contest, each groups did not convert their respective penalty corners as India did not make use of 4 within the match. The English group managed to create eight penalty corners however the hosts stood tall to disclaim them a aim.
The Indian group seemed to take an early lead in opposition to England within the essential sport and hit the blocks working from the phrase go as they penetrated the English circle within the opening minutes.
India captain Harmanpreet Singh who had an off day within the earlier sport seemed in spectacular contact. He was spectacular on the sector along with his interceptions and tackles within the opening minutes, placing stress on the opposition.
The Indian defence line had lapses on the sector and moments the place the English group had been in a position to make runs into the hosts’ circle, conceding a complete of 5 penalty corners (PCs) in a span of some minutes. However, PR Sreejesh stood tall and made certain that India maintained a clear sheet.
The hosts had been additionally in a position to get a PC within the thirteenth minute of the primary quarter, because of a superb run by Mandeep Singh into the opponent’s circle. Hardik Singh injected the ball into the circle whereas taking the PC, however Harmanpreet couldn’t collect the ball cleanly as India missed the chance to take the lead.
England had been near scoring within the dying minutes of the primary quarter however defender Amit Rohidas averted the English group from scoring as the primary quarter ended goalless.
The second quarter began with the English group on the assault. They secured yet one more PC solely to be denied a aim because the Indian defence stood tall and confirmed nice grit. India had been dominated by England for essentially the most a part of the second quarter as they made 17 circle penetrations until the top of the primary half. They additionally managed to get seven PCs in comparison with India’s 4. However, the hosts did discover their rhythm within the latter a part of the second quarter as they got here near scoring twice within the last minutes.
Another goalless quarter ensued after defenders from each side confirmed nice resilience, denying the aim. The first half ended with the groups battling it out neck to neck and ending with a scoreline of 0-0.
The Indian group began the third quarter with a press into the English circle, however the defenders once more got here into play to disclaim the hosts a aim. In the thirty eighth minute, Hardik had a stunning run down the center as he drove previous English gamers earlier than coming into the circle and taking a shot on the aim however Payne made a save as soon as once more. Hardik’s stick struck Rushmere within the face in the course of the course of leaving him bleeding profusely because the medical personnel rushed onto the pitch.
Sam Ward had the most effective likelihood of the sport as he was left unmarked contained in the circle, however Sreejesh stormed ahead to place stress on him and closed him down, prompting Ward to aim the chip.
India did rating a aim within the forty fifth minute as Abhishek managed to search out the again of the online however within the course of dedicated a foul, ruling out the aim for the hosts. The group had misplaced all its critiques and therefore couldn’t problem the choice. The third quarter too led to a impasse as neither group might discover the aim.
The fourth quarter noticed the Indian group making quite a few penetrations into the English circle however the England goalkeeper Oliver Payne’s resilience denied the hosts a aim every time.
England had the higher hand within the last quarter with India all the way down to 10 males after the final match’s hero Amit Rohidas was issued a inexperienced card. Jarmanpreet Singh once more bought a inexperienced card within the 57th minute to lift eyebrows from head coach Graham Reid.
India survived the ultimate nervy minutes of the fourth quarter with England managing to get a PC with 19 seconds left on the clock. However, the English group did not convert it, bringing the sport to an finish with each groups sharing the honours in a carefully fought contest.
England goalkeeper Oliver Payne was chosen because the Player of the Match. England maintains its lead in Group D with 4 factors.
India, which has 4 factors as properly, is second resulting from a decrease aim distinction. To high the group and ensure direct qualification for the quarterfinals, India could must beat Wales by a big margin in its last group match in Bhubaneswar on January 19.
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