Finance
India played out a goalless draw against England in an entertaining pool match on Sunday to remain in contention for a direct quarterfinal berth in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
Both India and England began their campaigns with victories over Spain and Wales, respectively.
So, their clash on Sunday was expected to be a battle for the top spot in Pool D, and the first half of the game proved the expectations were correct, as an edgy half of hockey unfolded in Rourkela in front of a packed crowd, with neither team giving or gaining an edge.
Despite several penalty corners and opportunities for both teams, neither team was able to complete their attacks, and the teams went into the break on equal footing. England earned five penalty corners in the first quarter but did not convert any of them. During this time, India had only one PC.
India settled into a rhythm in the second quarter, earning three penalty corners to England’s two.
The hosts, ranked fifth compared to England, dominated possession and territory in the second half, with midfielder Hardik Singh standing out, but there were no finishing touches to be found in the circle.
Mandeep Singh did get the ball in the back of the net near the end of the third quarter, but the whistle had already blown for a foul prior to the goal. Phil Roper received a great long pass that only left him with the keeper to beat, but his attempt to lift the ball over goalkeeper P.R Sreejesh went just wide and India breathed a sigh of relief.
England and India now have four points each from two matches, and who tops the pool and advances directly to the quarterfinals will be decided on January 19 when India plays Wales and England plays Spain, both at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Source:OCN
