India lose 2-4 to Great Britain in Olympics Hockey Test Event

4 May 2012:

India lost second successive match in London, losing to the hosts Great Britain 2-4 in the Four Nation London Olympics Test Event at the Riverbank Arena, Olympic Park on yesterday.

Great Britain’s scored regularly in the first half with Rob Moore (4th minute), Simon Montell (11th minute) and Ashley Jackson (24th and 26th minute), while V R Raghunath (Penalty Corner 16th minute) and Sandeep Singh (Penalty Corner 47th minute) struck for for India.

Great Britain took the lead in the 4th minute through a direct flick by striker Rob Moore and seven minutes later Simon Montell made it 2-0. However India showed great commitment and reduced the margin when V R Raghunath brought his team back into the game by converting a penalty corner in the 16th minute. Great Britain’s Ashley Jackson scored twice in three minutes to double the lead of hosts over India.

In the second half, India engineered some impressive plays in a strong fight back. Indian defence also put up a much improved show denying any goal to their rivals. Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a good save in the 40th minute denying a hat-trick goal chance for Great Britain striker Ashley Jackson.

India tried hard to reduce the margin in the second half of the game when they earned a penalty corner in the 47th minute through drag-flicker Sandeep Singh deflected a well directed ball by Sardar Singh to the nets.

India were distinctly unlucky not to get their third goal when Britain defender Richard Smith made a good save in the last minute of the match.

India will now play Germany in their last league encounter of the Four Nation London Olympics Hockey Test Event at the Riverbank Arena, Olympic Park on Saturday.