Great Britain won a fascinating contest 3-1 against India in a men’s match of the FIH Pro League at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on Sunday. The hosts were 2-0 ahead after Nicholas Bandurak struck quality goals in the first quarter.

The first in the second minute after a cross from the left. Bandurak struck again in the 11th minute with a touch of skill and verve, going a step back to flummox Harmanpreet and finishing with a firm hit to goaleeper Sreejesh’s left.
India, however, were far from rattled and pulled one back when the outstanding Abhishek rewarded himself with a goal in the 35th minute. The sprightly forward unleashed a backhander that went through goalkeeper Mazarelo’s gloves and into the net on to put the match on a razor’s edge.
It was end-to-end for much of the encounter much to the delight of the healthy turnout but Great Britain made it 3-1 in the fourth quarter through Will Calnan in the 47th minute whose effort survived a video referral.
It was by no means a cushion and the hosts showed tenacity and resolve to contain a rampaging India with Abhishek in scintillating form, Hardik incisive down the middle and captain Harmanpreet ever present with his forays upfront. Chances fell at both ends as the minutes ticked away, the best to Bandurak who failed to trap at handshaking distance from Sreejesh.
India remain third in the nine-nation league with 24 points from 14 matches. Great Britain stay in seventh position with 10 from five.
Great Britain enjoy two days’ rest before playing again on Wednesday, against Spain.
India have a longer interlude and take the pitch on Saturday against Germany who they beat 3-0 yesterday.

INDIAN WOMEN FIGHT BACK IN VAIN AGAINST GB

Great Britain staved off a spirited fightback by India in a women’s match of the FIH Pro League at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Sunday. The hosts won 3-2 after leading 2-0 in the first quarter in an encounter similar to the men’s clash between the two nations earlier in the day won by Great Britain 3-1.
Charlotte Watson scored both early goals like Nicholas Bandurak did for the men. India reduced the margin in the third quarter through Navneet Kaur who did an Abhishek but the scoring sequence similarities ended there.
A pulsating fourth and final quarter saw Sharmila Devi equalizing with only minutes remaining. However, Great Britain grabbed full points when Isabelle Petter scored off a penalty corner before the cheers had died down. Great Britain did the early running and Watson scored from a penalty stroke in the fifth minute — the award coming for a foul on Elena Rayer by Udita after the GB forward carried the ball from the half-line. Watson then doubled the lead in the next minute after Sarah Jones’ ball into the circle was blocked by Savita who failed to clear.
India, who appeared to go down an abyss after four losses in the last leg in Antwerp, pieced together a comeback that had the hosts on the ropes by the time the fourth quarter began.
Their spirit and determination, surely sparked by coach Harendra Singh’s chat at half-time, came to fruition when Sharmila Devi equalized in the 56th minute after Anna Toman deflected her shot past a helpless goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard despite India coping with a yellow card to Lalremsiami.
But Great Britain restored their lead just 40 seconds later via a penalty corner when Petter pounced on a penalty corner rebound off Savita Punia’s pad to slot home the winner with just three minutes remaining.
But moments after celebrating her goal, Petter endured a yellow card suspension that lent a late twist to the encounter. That added to the drama after Lalriamsami returned from the sin bin and Savita was withdrawn for an extra outfield player.
Great Britain, who survived a late onslaught for the second successive match after beating the USA 3-2 yesterday, now have seven points from six matches and are in eighth position. India are on eight points from 14 matches in seventh position and now have a break of five days till their next match against Germany on Saturday. Great Britain return to the pitch on Wednesday when they take on China.