Rotterdam, July 6 India escaped to victory and entered the semifinals of the men’s junior world cup hockey tournament with a slender 1-0 win against England here today.
The match-winner came in the 27th minute when Sandeep Singh converted a penalty corner, his eighth of the championship.
The success took India’s tally to 12, the same as Spain who earlier beat Egypt 2-1.
However, India were ranked higher on the basis of the number of goals they scored (12) to Spain’s 10 after the teams tied on matches won (4) and goal-difference (plus-5).
Argentina made the best of an injury-hit opposition to beat Australia 3-1 and advance to the semifinals.
The victory took Argentina, runners-up to India in the 2001 edition, to the top of pool F with 11 points, while Australia, who had already qualified for the knock-out round, finished second with 10. It was Australia’s first defeat in the tournament.
The semi-finals are slated for Friday after the rest day tomorrow.
Earlier on Tuesday, India scored a 3-1 win against Korea in a crucial pool E encounter. It was Korea’s first defeat.
Indian success was achieved amidst much anxiety as the Indians, after taking a 2-0 lead, became defensive and conceded a goal under pressure. However, Sandeep Singh’s penalty corner conversion in the 57th minute provided India a much-needed insurance. Earlier, Birendar Lakra flicked home from a Vinaya free-hit in the 15th minute, against the run of play and two minutes later, Tushar Khandekar found the boards after being put through by Lakra.
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