The Indian men’s hockey team won an almost 3–2 win over Great Britain to end their Europe tour on an unbeaten note on Monday and striker Mandeep Singh won. Harmanpreet Singh’s strike in the first minute and Mandeep’s two goals in the 28th and 59th minutes helped India remain undefeated on the tour. For Great Britain, James Gall (20th) and striker Adam Forsythe (55th) were the goal scorers.
In their last match, India’s Simranjit Singh scored a late goal to bring Great Britain to a 1–1 draw and, against Germany, the PR Sreejesh-led side won 6–1 and 1–1 respectively. Had drawn the draw.
On Monday, India started aggressively and gave themselves a penalty corner in the very first minute of the game. The vice-captain of India, Harmanpreet, duly converted this occasion and gave his favor.
The early gains helped India keep the pressure on their opponents, which ended with a 1-0 lead in the first quarter.
Great Britain restored parity in the 20th minute through a field goal from midfielder James Gall. The much awaited equalizer helped his team regain the right momentum.
Under pressure from India, Great Britain earned themselves a penalty corner, but their effort was saved brilliantly by India’s captain Sreejesh.
India had a moment to gain the lead in the 28th minute when forward Mandeep successfully converted a penalty corner on a rebound.
A goal ahead, India rallied to take the lead with an aggressive game in the third quarter. Although India secured a penalty corner in the opening minute of the third quarter and even made as many as five circle entries, they were denied by Britain’s defense each time.
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India’s defense, however, remained at a 2–1 lead. India dominated the proceedings at the start of the fourth quarter, but a quick change saw Great Britain seize the opportunity as Alan Forsythe scored an equalizer in the 55th minute.
The final few minutes were a battle of nerves as both teams lived up to Billing, but Mandeep capitalized on the opportunity as his late strike gave India a 3–2 win in the first assignment of 2021.
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