Leaving behind their disappointing league campaign, India produced an inspired performance to upstage world no.
Leaving behind their disappointing league campaign, India produced an inspired performance to upstage world no. 4 Great Britain 2-1 and enter the semi-finals of the Hockey World League Final at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium here on Thursday.
World no. 6 India came into the match as underdogs having finished last in Pool B with just one point. Great Britain, on the other hand, were touted as favourites as they topped Pool A with two wins and a draw.
But having faced a lot flak in the last few days for their inconsistent showing in the league stage, India came out with purpose even though Great Britain had the better share of ball possession and circle entries.
India secured just one penalty corner in the match which was converted by V.R. Raghunath in the 19th minute before Talwinder Singh doubled the lead in the 39th.
It was not easy for the hosts as Great Britain fought hard and tried to forge a comeback into the match in the fourth and final quarter when Simon Mantell scored from a penalty corner in the 52nd minute.
Great Britain earned as many as six penalty corners but made use of just one.India began on a bright note and enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening two quarters.
The Indians looked far more organised and co-ordinated and attacked the rival citadel with purpose.It was India who had the first shy at the goal when Dharamvir Singh’s brilliant solo run from the left flank found out Talwinder inside the box but the striker messed up the opportunity.
Two minutes later, Great Britain had the first real scoring opportunity when they earned a penalty corner after Jasjeet Singh Kular found the feet of Raghunath inside the box while trying to clear the ball.
The resultant try from Ian Sloan was saved by India custodian P.R. Sreejesh and the rebound was shot wide by Tim Whiteman.
India’s persistent attack earned them their first penalty corner in the 19th mintute and Raghunath made no mistake in give his side the lead with a powerful low-flick to the right of Britain goalkeeper Harry Gibson.
Britain did not sit back and put pressure on the Indian defence immediately after the change of ends. Two minutes into the second half, the British side had a shy at the goal but David Condon’s diving try was kept away by an alert Sreejesh.
In the very next minute, Mohammad Amir Khan shot just wide after creating the opportunity himself with a brilliant run from outside the circle.
Talwinder earned a penalty corner for India soon but it was disallowed after Britain went for referral.
India doubled their lead in the 39th minute from a counter attack, courtesy Kothajit Singh’s gritty play. After battling it out with a host of British defenders, he managed to take the possession and then set it up with a beautiful scoop pass to Talwinder who scored from a tight angle after dodging past the goalkeeper.
In the final 10 minutes, the home defence crumbled under pressure and conceded the fourth penalty corner in the 52nd minute from which Mantell scored to make the match interesting.
India will face the winners of the quarter-final between Argentina and Belgium.
