Birmingham, August 01: India bounced back in style from their first match loss by recording a 4-3 victory over England in the second of their three-match hockey Test series here. The Indians produced a fine display of speed and skill to erase a two-goal deficit and notched up their first win of the European tour at the University of Birmingham.
Arjun Halappa (35th minute), Dhananjay Mahadik (41st), Rajpal Singh (43rd) and Gurvinder Chandi (65th min) scored for India, while England”s marksmen were Ashley Jackson (22nd and 69th) and Jonty Clarke (26th min). England, who won the first Test 3-1 on Wednesday, started aggressively but met with stiff resistance from the Indian defenders, particularly from Sardar Singh in a his new role of sweeper back.
Vikram Pillay and Gurbaj Singh joined the Haryana Police deputy superintendent in thwarting the initial England forays amidst a light drizzle accompanied by a wave of chilly wind. The hosts nearly took the lead as early as the sixth minute when Simon Egerton broke through the middle but was foiled by Indian goalkeeper Adrian D”souza who saved a shot high to his right.
In the eighth minute, India had their first opportunity to score but Tushar Khandker failed to control SV Sunil”s powerful cross to the back post. .
–PTI