Resolute India overcame both the crowd and the marauding forwards to register a memorable victory over Great Britain on day Two of London Champions Trophy.
On a rainy day, which delayed start of the match by 20 minutes, opportunistic Mandeep Singh set the tune and tenor early, bending low to roll the ball across the goaline from close range, after Sunil, as usual set up the move (1-0).
Barry Middleton misjudged Harmanpreet’s flick and took it on the body before warding off high from danger, but alert coach Roelant Oltmans signalled Raghunath to go for the referral demanding stroke, which materialised after the process.
Harmanpreet Singh had no difficulty to put the ball post goalie (2-0.
Exactly five minutes after lemon time, Ashley Jackson showed his prowess in penalty corner, when he placed the pushed ball close on the top bar to narrow down the score (2-1).
Hard times followed for the Indians, falling apart in clipping the wings of past moving GB forwards.
Even as Condon, Lewers and Catlin missed out on many chances to move the scoreboard up, Sreejesh came out with some electric saves, rooting under the cage, showing calm and hawkish eyes.
Mandeep Singh got another chance to strike, when he was served on platter by Manpreet in a spilit move, but he, being alone near circle, and had all time to strike, instead carried.
Its worthwhile to mention that India defeated England 3-1 at Melbourne Champions Trophy too.
Indians today adopted to the heavy turf conditions, with a measured slow pace game, packing defence instead of going excited on getting upfront chances.
Indian midfield, where Pardeep Mor, Manpreet Singh shone, showed enormous maturity in containing the BRitish, who were seen relying on relentless attack.
Coach Bobby Crutchley even took out goalie in the last three minutes, and had a player more on the field to attack, yet the Indians measured up to the last minute challenges, to emerge unscathed.
The British used their last weapon, unspent Referral, which did not survive neutral umpire’s decision.
Britian has so far played two matches, drawing against Australia and losing to India.