Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian Men’s Hockey Team played out a thrilling 4-4 draw against England in Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham after the opposition made a stunning comeback in the final quarter of the match on Monday. India took a solid 4-1 lead in the match with Mandeep Singh (13′, 22′) scoring a brace and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (3′) and Harmanpreet Singh (46′) scoring a goal each as well. But with Nicholas Bandurak (47′, 53′) scoring a brace, and Liam Ansell (42’) and Phillip Roper (50′) scored a goal each, England managed to hold on India and earned a point from the match to maintain their top position in Pool B table.
India got off to a brisk start with Hardik Singh charging from the left flank soon after the starting whistle to put England on the backfoot. Minutes later, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay earned the first Penalty Corner for India, and he scored from the rebound to give his team an early lead. With minutes left on the clock in the first quarter, Hardik Singh launched a brilliant counter-attack, as he sent the ball to Mandeep Singh inside the striking circle. Mandeep struck a powerful tomahawk into the nets as India extended their lead to 2-0.
Mandeep Singh created another goal for India with an outstanding move inside the circle as India extended their lead to 3-0. India went to halftime break with a 3-0 lead.
Liam Ansell managed to get the ball into the nets before the end of the third quarter as England got themselves on the board.
Gaining confidence from the late goal scored in third quarter, England started pressing deep in the final 15 minutes to try and further reduce the deficit. But a costly error in defence from England earned India another Penalty Corner, and Harmanpreet Singh converted it with ease to increase India’s lead to 4-1.
England’s Nicholas Bandurak scored a minute later to reduce the gap to 4-2. Phillip Roper broke through Indian defence and hit the ball past goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak as England added another goal to the board. Nicholas Bandurak converted yet again from a counter-attack as England drew level, with minutes left on the clock. India faced some nervy moments with England building pressure but managed to hold on till the final whistle as the match ended in a 4-4 draw.
India will next face off against Canada in Pool B match on August 03.