The Asian age: New Delhi

Aug. 2: India squandered a two-goal lead to go down 2-3 to England in their third and final hockey test to lose the series 1-2 in Birmingham on Sunday, according to information received here. The hosts won the opener on Wednesday, while India levelled the series with a victory on Friday.

India, who led 2-1 at half time, scored through Vikram Pillay and S.V. Sunil in the third and 18th minutes respectively, while Ashley Jackson converted two penalty corners (30th and 50th) and Iain Mackay scored the match-winner for England in the 64th minute.

India capitalised on a cagey England defence with Richard Mantell and Alison Wilson gifting ball possession inside the opening two minutes, going ahead when a foul inside the circle from goalkeeper Nick Brothers’ save off a Arjun Halappa penalty corner resulted in a penalty stroke. Pillay slotted home from the spot low to Brothers’ left. England countered and Iain Mackay narrowly missed connecting with Matt Daly’s cross. Another chance went off target with James Tindall blazing high and wide from the top of the circle.

India were back on the onslaught soon but Dhananjay Mahadik’s shot was well saved by Brothers.

India went two up after good interplay by Rajpal Singh along the baseline. The Chandigarh lad set up S.V. Sunil who smashed home in the 18th minute.

England found the equaliser when Jackson and Martin Jones combined well but the former’s left handed reverse deflected over the bar, but with twenty minutes remaining he beat D’Souza from a penalty corner.

England scored the match winner when a move from Rob Moore and Richard Alexander was finished off by Mackay seven minutes from the end.

India now travel to Antwerp where they will take on Belgium in a three-test series at Boom.