Hockey World League Semi-Finals, highlights: Clinical India defeat Canada 3-0 ahead of Pakistan clash

Don’t forget! India take on Pakistan not just in cricket tomorrow.

And that’s from the Lee Valley Hockey Centre in London, the venue of the Hockey World League Semi-finals. Once again India has won 3-0 against Canada.

Final result

#HWL2017 @FieldHockeyCan v @TheHockeyIndia https://t.co/xLgdQWpmQn pic.twitter.com/2d9GZw3Mxd

— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) June 17, 2017

This 3-0 win will give India a major morale boost before their match against Pakistan tomorrow. Understandbly, India pulled the pace down in the end not letting the players go all out. A perfect win. Perfect display. India win 3-0 against Canada.

That’s it then. India have beaten Canada 3-0. They get three points taking their tally to six.

India have almost wrapped up the match. It’s two minutes left. Canada still pushing for a consolation goal.

What do you think?

India are beating CAN 3-0 now but can they beat PAK tomorrow? #HWL2017 London #PAKvIND
🗓18th June
⏰14:00 GMT
☕️ time at the 🏏😉 pic.twitter.com/qnJrXkJcPm

— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) June 17, 2017

It’s a difficult choice for the video umpire. Too many sticks out there. He needs to pick which was a stick check. Under three minutes left in the match. And India win the referral. No PC for Canada.

Close call for India after a bout of skills from Johnston but Curran shoots wide. And this time they get their 2nd PC. It’s a massive melee. India clear it out. But Canada want a referral.

Mandeep Singh displays his sublime skills but cannot get past the army of Canadian sticks and the goalkeeper. Pleads at the referee for a penalty corner. It’s less than five minutes left in the match for India to pick up three points and their 2nd win.

This is Canada’s best spell in the match. The Pereira’s Keegan and Brandon played in tandem but the push went onto the Indian goal’s side boards. Canada still looking to open their account in the match. India lead 3-0.

Great run by Sunil again. But his cross is not trapped well by Satbir Singh. Goal opportunity lost by India. They still lead 3-0.

India going back to rotating the ball and gaining control. The Canada bench is shouting ‘Press’. Around ten minutes left in the 4th quarter, some defence or the other should break. India lead 3-0.

It’s Canada, however, who is stretching the field. Trying to get a goal to put some pressure on the Indian defence.

Final and 4th quarter to start. India lead 3-0 and one should see the Indians put in an effort to increase their lead.

Canada pushing now. India seem a little relaxed. Cushion of a 3-0 lead plus the efforts of the first 3 quarters have made them visibly tired. At the end of the 3rd Quarter, India lead 3-0.

Canada show fight in 3rd quarter but are still unable to penetrate India’s defence.

38' - India picks up another corner on a Canadian foot in the circle. @tups4 able to knock the ball out of the air on the post. Still 3-0.

— Field Hockey Canada (@FieldHockeyCan) June 17, 2017

Chinglensana has got a yellow card. India down to ten men for at least five minutes. Canada came close and then India had another chance at the Canadian goal.

Three tries and yet India couldn’t get the 4th goal. First Harmanpreet’s flick is saved and his second try is saved by Carter. Chinglensana then does a reverse hit which deflects off the right post. India lead 3-0 with five mins left in the 3rd quarter.

But Harmanpreet’s flick flying towards the corner of the net hits the top of a Canadian defender’s stick and flies out. India have asked for a referral and they get their 5th PC.

India earn their 4th PC and this time Harmanpreet Singh is on the pitch.

India trying to force another goal under pressure but the Canadians have men at the back. Ball hardly coming into the Indian half.

India try a trick and it almost comes off. Jasjit instead of flicking gives it to Manpreet on his left whose flick sails inches past the right post.

Sunil brought down as he sprinted away by Curran Taylor. The Canadian gets a yellow. And on the counter attack India get their 3rd PC of the match.

Straightforward save from Dahiya. Gordon Johnston’s flick is straight to the GK’s gloves and Dahiya deflects it away. India still lead 3-0.

And that is Canada’s 1st PC of the match in the 3rd quarter. Melee leading to the PC.

As the 3rd quarter begins, India haven’t changed goalkeeper’s. It’s still Vikas Dahiya.

The 3rd quarter to start. India have been skillful and adept in finishing off the chances. But at the same time, they have kept the defence extremely tight. Canada not able to enter the Indian striking circle. The only chance they had they failed to trap with Akash Chikte in front.

India vs Canada score at half-time

#HWL2017 @FieldHockeyCan v @TheHockeyIndia https://t.co/xLgdQWpmQn pic.twitter.com/cmbl0ZsyE7

— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) June 17, 2017

India lead 3-0 at the break; Goals by SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh and Sardar Singh.

India taking things a little bit easy. This has been Canada’s best quarter with two penetrations and an opportunity. India, meanwhile, rotate the ball all over the pitch not giving too many balls to the Canadians. At the break, India lead 3-0.

Former Indian Hockey captain and Arjuna Awardee Jagbir Singh says it best.

#HWL2017,nice to see team @TheHockeyIndia against Canada in first quarter with full control & patience in build up & perfection in circle

— Jagbir Singh OLY (@jagbirolympian) June 17, 2017

Lovely opportunity for Canada off a counter attack but the flick into the Indian striking circle is not trapped by Floris Son.

And that has sailed past the right post. With Harmanpreet not on the pitch, Jasjit Kular took the flick. Canada survive. India lead 3-0

Canada trying their best. But unable to break down the Indian midfield. India playing to a tight formation. Not a single player out of position. India lead 3-0 and have got their 2nd PC of the match.

India not letting up. Pace slowed down a bit. Controlling the midfield and the match. It’s a fluid India on the pitch. The Asian Games Champions lead 3-0 over the Pan-American Games runners-up.

Under pressure, Canada made the wrong pass. Ramandeep snatched and sprinted away with Sardar and Mandeep on the right. At the last moment, Ramandeep flicked it to Sardar who while overlapping pushed it past Carter. India lead 3-0.

Goal! Now, its 3-0. Super move by Ramandeep and then a lovely flick for Sardar who pushes it in for a 3-0 lead.

It’s the 2nd quarter. Canada uses the scoop. Change of tactics by the Canadians. But India gain control almost immediately. Ramandeep just about failing to hold onto the ball.

India are clearly dictating terms against a side that beat Pakistan emphatically yesterday.

Hardly an error by the Indians in the 1st quarter. The defence was solid, midfield innovating constantly while the forwards had the Canadian defence on the run. India will look to increase the 2-0 lead and make this match safe.

Lovely touch by Harjeet. But the innovation outside the Canadian circle is not anticipated by Indian forwards. It’s total 1st quarter domination by India. Only two circle penetrations by the Canadian team. And at the end of the 1st Q India lead 2-0.

Canada trying to come through the flanks. But India’s structure in the midfield and defence is rock solid. Substitutions are fast.

Ramandeep Singh had the ball on top of the circle. His pass found Akashdeep and an advancing Carter. Akashdeep deftly deflected it to give India a 2-0 lead.

Goal! And it’s 2-0. Akashdeep squeezes it in past Carter. India lead 2-0.

India’s strategy is quite clear. Dominate, Control. Keep out the errors and force space from Canada. At the moment, India dictate. They lead 1-0.

India keeping up the pressure. Canada still to get a shot at goal. Only one circle penetration for them. India already has had six and there are 7 minutes in the 1st quarter.

The opening goal came off a Surender pass into the Canadian striking circle. Sunil’s first hit saved by the GK and then he gets the ball again from Mandeep and this time waits before pushing it past Carter. India lead 1-0

Goal! And that’s the lead for India off SV Sunil’s perfect placement. India 1-0

India playing on the lines with Manpreet Singh and Surender playing way up. Huge pressure on the Canadians. Can India convert domination into an early 1st Q goal?

Great chance again for India. Ramandeep hit. Canadian GK David Carter brings off a save.

That was close by Harmanpreet. Perfect push and stop but the flick just flying over the cross bar.

First attack from the Canadians. But India break away and get the 1st PC. Early opportunity for India.

With the National Anthem played, both the teams are in a huddle. This is going to be an exciting match. Canada with their tails up after the win against Pakistan while India will look for a win and six points in Pool B.

And here come both the teams. India is ranked 6th while the Canadians are 10th. India will be careful and would want to keep a tight defence against the Canadians after what they saw yesterday against Pakistan.

In fact, China started the day with a rousing 5-2 win over South Korea, the 2000 Olympic silver medallists. Korea has slipped over the years but China’s win was exciting and is an upset. It sets up the India-Canada match beautifully. In their last encounter that came at the Rio Olympics, Canada had held out for a 2-2 draw against India.

Welcome to the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre right in the middle of the Olympic Park in London.

And India is taking on Canada in their second match of Pool B.

Canada is on a high after recording their biggest victory in field hockey beating Pakistan 6-0!. Yes, 6-0. An amazing score-line.

Here are the starting elevens for India and Canada for today’s match.

Have a look at the Starting XIs for India's clash against Canada on 17th June at the Hero Men's #HWL2017 SF in London.#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/NMa1dgMp3c

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) June 17, 2017

Here’s a look at the Pool B points table after Day 2 of Hockey World League Semi-Finals.

Image courtey: Twitter.com/@TheHockeyIndia

India face a determined Canada in their second match. While India came back from a sloppy start to win 4-1 in their first encounter against Scotland, Canada stunned Pakistan beating them 6-0 in emphatic fashion.

China beat South Korea 5-2 in today’s first Pool A match.

The other matches scheduled for today are:
Pool A: England vs Malaysia
Pool B: Scotland vs Netherlands

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Pool B match between India and Canada in the Hockey World League Semi-Finals in London.