Electric hockey short-circuits English hockey, India in the final
India will be in the Thursday final of the Delhi CWG.
This is true.
Bharat Chetri saved Glenn Kirkham’s stroke in the tie-breaker for India to romp home a dream 8-7 victory, after both team tied at 3-3 in the regulation and extra-time.
Delhi Games emerging hero Sarwanjit Singh scored first in the match, played very cautiously in the first half, only to see England equalize off their first penalty corner that came when 10 seconds left for the lemon time. Ashley Jackson came with a variety that kept otherwise agile Bharat Chetri, rooted even as the ball slipped hard on his left.
On resumption, the large crowd was silenced when England converted next two penalty corners in quick succession. Ashley Jackson and Simon Mantell doing the damage.
However, resurgent India made a match of it shortly. And it was a sweet turn around for the crowd.
India came from behind like not before, and kept the chances of success alive, with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
It’s now the turn of ever-green Vikram Pillay who infused life into Indian engine. Even as they trail 1-3, a long sweep from Sandeep Singh emating from the right flank finds its way into a crowded circle to find a deflection from Vikram Pillay.
It was in the 56th minute.
Now the crowd came alive, egging Indian on every move. The stadium reverbrating to the chorus that the crowd chose to chant.
Four minutes later, Sarwanjit Singh collected a rebound from Rajpal’s shot that richotted off from otherwise great goalie of England, James Fair. Indian coach Jose Brasa rated James’ game the best and said he came out with extraordinary save.
There cannot be second opinion on that view.
After this, India and England went all out, shots at goals exceeding the total shots the match saw in the previous 60 minutes.
This spell was total domination from India, but James factor came in.
At the end of first extra time, India got a penalty corner, which sandeep Singh took, but his flick was not only high but also wide. This led to scoreboard stagnating in the next seven half minutes as well.
The tie-breaker ensued, the rest is history.