India Great Britain match today, with a decent history
After a decent 3-3 draw against the Bhubneswar Champions Trophy winner Germany, India is all geared up to take on Great Britain in its second match of the London edition of the elite FIH tournament today, the 11th June.
Like India, Germany too played a event-opener a draw yesterday. That the draw came against much hailed numero uno team Australia, their traditional rival, poses a big challenge for India.
India, erratic and inconsistent in defence — it conceded nine penalty corners to Germany the other day- need to pull up its socks today and show precision hockey on field to make a match of it.
Britain, playing against the home support, is a determined team, will go all out for an outright win. It needs to compensate yesterday’s loss of points.
India needlessly played a error prone game as match wore on yesterday, especially in the crucial third an quarter, unexpectedly after taking what seemed an unassailable 3-1 lead.
The likes of Talwinders, who are no more bracketed under youngster’s category, need to exercise caution, and do not do harm to the team’s rhythm.
His avoidable yellow card really upset India which gave leeway for the waiting Germans yesterday.
India has decent record against England (GB) in the history of Champions Trophy
When India met GB first time ever, it overwhelmed with a thrilling 6-3 win.
India defeated Great Britain when it first played them in 1980. India 6 GB 3. lanky Sukhvir Singh Grewal and Devinder Singh struck a brace followed by a goal apiece from Zafar Iqbal and Joaquim Carvalho in the memorable win.
Indian team then was preparing for the Moscow Olympics.
Four years later, after GB won a surprise bronze at Atlanta Olympics, Mohd Shahid’s India just lost its last encounter to GB. Paul Barber’s brace was just met by a stroke conversion by Carvalho.
Next year, just a goal from same Paul Barber sealed the match in favour of the British.
The story remained same in 1989, India managed to strike only once through Sujit Kumar while the winning British struck twice.
India did not qualify for the elite event for almost decade thereafter, but when it made it in 1995, Cedric D’Souza’s team levelled them. Its Mukesh Kumar who had a say on the scoreboard in the 1-1 draw, obtained on 27th Sep.
It met the GB again at Berlin in the 5th place decider, which again ended in a draw (2-2)