The Indian men’s hockey team ended its tour of Europe with a splendid 3-2 win against Britain in Antwerp on Monday. A brace by Mandeep Singh in the 28th and 59th minutes added to Harmanpreet Singh’s opening minute penalty corner goal and helped India remain undefeated on the tour. James Gall (20) and striker Adam Forsyth (55) scored for Britain,.
World No. 4 India started the match on an aggressive note and earned itself a penalty corner. India’s vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh duly converted by to give his side the early lead. Indian goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak thwarted a Britain attempt to draw level in the first quarter. However,
Britain scored in the 20th minute through midfielder James Gall. Buoyed by the equalizer, Britain piled more pressure on the Indian defence. A brilliant save by India skipper PR Sreejesh denied Britain the joy of taking the lead via a penalty corner goal. On the contrary, it was India which went ahead in the 28th minute when Mandeep Singh successfully converted a rebound off a penalty corner.
India dominated the third quarter, earning an early penalty corner and making as many as five circle entries. It continued in the same vein but ended up conceding a goal in the 55th minute when Alan Forsyth scored from a counter-attack. The last few minutes were a battle royal and Mandeep rose to the occasion help India cap its first venture in 2021 with a 3-2 win.
The PR Sreejesh-led side secured a 6-1 win and a 1-1 draw in Tests against Germany in Krefield before a 1-1 draw with Britain in Antwerp.
Image (top): Mandeep Singh (Photo courtesy: Hockey India)
