Rourkela: India and England missed chances galore before settling for a 0-0 draw in their World Cup Hockey 2023 clash at Birsa Munda International Stadium here on Sunday evening.
Both teams have 4 points, but England lead the table thanks to a better goal difference (+5 against India’s +2).
In a fast-paced game, England earned seven penalty corners in the first half, but failed to beat a quick running Indian defence led by local star Amit Rohidas.
The Indians forced three penalty corners in the final five minutes of the second quarter, but Harmanpreet and Rohidas were thwarted by England goalie Oliver Payne and the defenders.
India may not have got too many penalty corners, but they launched a series of swift attacks. Three fantastic saves by Payne and a couple of easy tap-in misses near the goalline prevented the home team from scoring.
Payne was adjudged Player of the Match.
England had their best chance to score a field goal nine minutes into the third quarter. Sam Ward moved in menacingly and found himself in a one-on one situation with P R Sreejesh. As the Indian custodian left his charge to put pressure on Ward, the Englishman sent the ball wide of the goalpost.
With just 19 seconds remaining on the clock, India had a mighty scare after conceding an eighth penalty corner. An England player’s hit struck the goalpost and rebounded, allowing Indian defence to clear the ball.
India face minnows Wales in the final league game on January 19 at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, while England will clash with Spain.
The group toppers will qualify directly for the quarterfinals, while the Nos 2 and 3 will go through to the Crossovers, which are virtual pre-quarterfinals.
