Indian hockey team lose opener to England

The Indian hockey team,under Spanish coach Jose Brasa,began their month-long European tour with a 3-1 loss against England....

The Indian hockey team,under Spanish coach Jose Brasa,began their month-long European tour with a 3-1 loss against England in Birmingham late on Wednesday night,according to information received here.

In the first of their three-test series,India struggled in torrential rain to score despite several chances. England led 2-1 at half-time and scored their goals through Ben Hawes (1st),Barry Middleton (18th) and Richard Smith (68th). The lone Indian goal came from Dhananjay Mahadik in the 8th minute off the first of five penalty corners.

England got off to the perfect start on Wednesday with a lucky goal inside 60 seconds as Ben Hawess effort went in off Ajitesh Rai’s stick. Two minutes later,England earned their first of 10 penalty corners but Ashley Jackson’s effort was successfully charged down by Vikram Pillay.

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India soon regrouped and earned their first penalty corner six minutes later. VS Vinaya played a dummy as Gurwinder Singh Chandis pass found its way to Dhananjay Mahadik and the army man flicked it across James Fair inside the post to equalise.

England again took the lead off their fourth penalty corner when England skipper Barry Middleton shot home a rebound. With constant rain,the slippery conditions made things difficult for the players but India began to reassert themselves in the match. Unfortunately for the visitors,a number of passes went astray with Indian forwards in good positions.

With the rain easing in the second half and India missing several chances,England gradually took control of the proceedings,winning three penalty corners in quick succession but could not convert any. India blew up another opportunity to equalise five minutes from time when both Prabhjot Singh and Tushar Khandker failed to trap the ball.

Richard Smith scored the winner in the 68th minute.