Indian colts outplay England at their homeyard
Dipsan Tirkey’s team completely outplayed the hosts England in every department of the game to romp home a fluent 7-1 in the first of the four match series here in Bisham Abbey, England.
Indian team showed cohesion and purpose in all what they did to posts goals at ease. Indians aggression and opportunism did not give time or elbow room for the English to settle. Quick goals on alert moves kept their defence headed by captain James Albery on tender hooks.
Playing under drizzle, Manpreet Singh started the onslaught to be followed by Ajay Yadav. Man in form Varun struck a brace off penalty corners before going for lemon break (4-1).
Goalie Reynolds could not do anything to contain Indian onslaught as the defence appeared below to the task.
Neither did the rain nor the goals stopped on resumption.
Varun completed his hat-trick with an immaculate conversion of penalty corner, the ball going centre of the net wide off goalie.
Simranjit Singh thereafter cut through the tired looking defence, and lifted the ball from the sidelines to scoop an exciting goal to enlarge the lead.
Gujrant Singh added another one quickly.
England attacked strongly in the last fifteen minutes, but could not break the wall manned by Gurinder Singh and captain Dipsan Tirkey.
England’s consolation goal in the first half was struck by burly Ed Horter.
Indians showed great acumen in finish and build, which upset the applecart of the hosts from the beginning.
Coach Harendra Singh expressed happiness over the result, while conceding the fact that it will be difficult to continue the same form in the subsequent matches.
“Normally we create chances but don’t score. But today we created good number of chances and availed them too” he said.
English coach Kwan Browne hoped his team lost the initiative against a much improved Indian side.
Last time we played against India was the Johor Cup. This time, compared to the Johor team, is vastly improved”, he said.