India beat England in second hockey Test

BIRMINGHAM - India fought back from a two-goal deficit to win the second hockey Test 4-3 against England at the University of Birmingham here.

Indian goal scorers were Arjun Halappa (35th), Dhananjay Mahadik (41st), Rajpal Singh (43rd) and Gurvinder Chandi (65th min), while England’s marksmen were Ashley Jackson (22nd & 69th) and Jonty Clarke (26th min).

India thus levelled the three-match series 1-1 after England had won the first Test.

The home team started aggressively Friday but met stiff resistance in the Indian defence, particularly from Sardara Singh. Vikram Pillay and Gurbaj Singh joined Sardara in thwarting the initial England forays.

England earned six penalty corners in the first half, but had to wait for the last one to net the opener. Jackson got it spot on with his powerful flick from the set piece beating goalkeeper Adrian D’souza.

The lead could have doubled a minute later but Simon Egerton, teed up by James Tindall, pushed wide.

India went into the offensive but soon fell further into arrears as England scored in the 26th minute. Matt Daly’s shot was well saved by D’souza low to his left but before Bimal Lakra could react Jonty Clark did brilliantly to knock home the loose ball.

India got their first penalty corner in the 35th minute after Chandi was blocked inside the circle. Mahadik’s flick was stopped by custodian James Fair dangerously, resulting in another penalty corner. Arjun Halappa fired a low flick into the bottom right corner to score at the stroke of half time.

India returned with renewed vigour in the second half and they turned the game on its head with two goals in quick succession.

Chandi moved into the circle with a solo, meeting with an obstruction leading to India’s third penalty corner in the 41st minute.

Dhananjay scored the equaliser to the great delight of a huge crowd of ethnic Indians in the stands.

Two minutes later it was the turn of Indian captain Rajpal Singh, who was leading the team in place of indisposed Sandeep Singh, to celebrate as he gave India the lead.

Rajpal knocked home at the back post after a free flowing move down the left flank from Prabodh Tirkey, Halappa and Chandi.

England responded immediately with two penalty corners but Jackson’s efforts were thwarted by D’souza. As England pressed on in search of the equaliser, India were beginning to show some of their traditional flair, attacking on the counter at pace and superb close control.

India had a chance to kill off the game as it entered the final ten minutes but Rajpal

mis-trapped along the baseline.

Then Chandi entered the striking circle from the left to strike the bouncing ball with a reverse stick volley for a 4-2 lead.

England reduced the margin when Jackson netted his second penalty corner.

India played out the remaining time as ecstatic fans celebrated.

India’s chief coach Jose Brasa said the victory was due to renewed self-confidence in the team.

The third and final Test will take place Sunday.