England held India to a draw, the race to reach the quarter-finals became thrilling

Rourkela: India played out a goalless draw with England in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup on Sunday even as the team remained in contention for a direct berth in the quarter-finals. Despite getting several chances, both the teams could not capitalize in the thrilling Pool D match at the packed Birsa Munda Stadium. England got eight penalty corners in the match and India four but the hosts’ penalty corner defense was stout.

India-England equal points

Now England and India have four points each from two matches and the group topper will go directly to the quarter-finals. India will play Wales in the last league match on January 19, while England will face Spain. If both teams have the same number of points, then the team with the better goal average will go through to the last eight. England’s goal average is now plus five having thrashed Wales 5-0 in the first match while India thrashed Spain 2-0.

The first quarter was dominated by England winning five penalty corners but India defended stoutly. Mandeep Singh got India’s first penalty corner but captain Harmanpreet Singh could not convert it. In the second quarter, Wallace Zachary was unable to convert England’s sixth penalty corner. Soon after, England got their seventh penalty corner which was saved by Amit Rohidas.

India also missed opportunities

Harmanpreet got India’s third penalty corner and the fourth soon after. Harmanpreet missed on the first and Varun Kumar could not score on the second. England would have taken the lead in the 37th minute but David Condon’s shot went wide. England’s Sam Ward also came close to scoring on a reverse shot when goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was alone in front of him but the shot went wide.

India had to play with 10 men till the last few minutes when Hardik Singh went off the field due to injury. Despite this, the England team could not score any goal and their penalty corner in the last minute went in vain. In the second pool match, Spain defeated Wales 5–1.

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