Highlights, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018, India vs England: Both teams share spoils after hard-fought game

England score a late equaliser to draw the match against India

FT: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 1-1 🇮🇳
England battle back to earn a point thanks to @MarkGleghorne's penalty stroke @AzlanCup pic.twitter.com/IdgTZFJwZQ

— England Hockey (@EnglandHockey) March 4, 2018

But it was a improved display after the loss against Argentina. India had better chances and should have wrapped it up in the last minute also.

But what really cost India the match apart from the forwards missing some sharp ones was not getting any goals off the 9 PC’s. That will be the top topic in the Indian team management meeting.

And that’s it. It’s a 1-1 scoreline. It could easily have been a victory for India. But they muffed chances all over. India and England get their first point in the tournament. Both have a point each.

Sharp chances for India. Simranjeet hammers in a cross. But not trapped.

Two minutes left. India putting itself under pressure. England playing steadily. making play count. India needs a few aerial balls to put England under pressure.

India under pressure here. They need to spread out and get the ball moving. Under 5 mins left for both the teams to find a match-winner.

GOAL. GOAL. England have the equaliser off a stroke. Gleghorne flicks it in. It’s 1-1.

England have the stroke.

Umpire points to a stroke. India want a referral.

That was close as Gurjant almost had the ball. But the England GK saves.

Less than 10 mins on the clock as India lead 1-0. This will be close if India don’t get another goal.

And England wins the referral. No PC for India. That’s 9 PC’s without a score. India still lead 1-0.

Umpire points to the 10th PC as England now want a referral.

And India have their 9th PC.

India is going for a referral. They think they have a PC.

India attacking as they have Simranjeet Singh back on the pitch. Players all spread out. Will require individual brilliance to get a goal.

England have been holding the ball and making every pass count. They now have a quarter left to find an equaliser. India, on the other hand, getting too many cards and playing constantly with ten players. The last quarter has to be a better effort from the Indians. Till now, the Indian defence has been well structured, playing slightly away from each other and clearing on time.

And that’s the end of the 3rd quarter. India leading 1-0.

Two minutes left in the 3rd quarter. India leading 1-0.

Nice move from Varun and Nilakanta. But the final pass is defended.

Uthappa-Gurjant move in. But the English defence hold on. India slightly having the edge. They need another goal.

And now Ramandeep seems to have got a stick in his face. But he is up fast. India trying to attack on the flanks.

Simranjeet Singh gets yellow card. Out for a minimum of 5 minutes. India putting pressure on themselves. Simranjeet lost the ball and then brought down the English player with his stick. India again down to ten men.

India reducing the pace and holding the ball. Killing some speed of the English players. At the same time, the Indians need to pass better. Slightly wayward again.

Unnecessary as Mandeep Mor gets a green card. India back to playing with ten.

Flick hits an English stick and goes out.

England’s 1st PC. Mandeep Mor brings down Weir.

India is playing with ten as Lakra got a green card in the dying moments of the 2nd quarter.

And the 3rd quarter begins.

Krishan Pathak has come on as goalkeeper. Suraj Karkera has been taken off.

We are now going into the 3rd quarter with India leading 1-0. England have had 18 circle entries in two quarters to India’s 9. While England have had no PC’s to India’s 8. All PC’s came in the 2nd quarter.

England had a rash of attacks in the end of the 2nd quarter. But the Indian defence held on. Suraj in goal saving six to seven shots.

Much improved display by India in the 2nd quarter. They did attack and get that lovely goal from the right flank. But they also blew away 8 PC’s. Yes, 8 PC’s. Most of them coming one after the other.

Shilanand Lakra gets a green. Trying to stick check after losing the ball. It’s also the end of the 2nd quarter. India lead 1-0.

Rash of attacks from England. But the Indian defence holding up. India lead 1-0.

England almost has an equaliser. But Suraj is quick to bring in the pads.

India leading 1-0 with under four minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter.

It’s a terrible piece of statistics but India haven’t scored of 8 PC’s.

India almost get a goal as Rohidas flicks and Ramandeep flashes a rebound. But it’s wide.

And India get their 8th PC now.

Simranjeet Singh making some great moves and almost gets a PC. India on the attack as India get their 7th PC. Make it count!!

England now trying to control the pace. India has had 6 PC’s, all wasted away. Suraj has played a super game till now making atleast six saves in the 1st two quarters. There are 9 minutes left in the 2nd quarter.

India waste away six PC’s. Hitting Liam Sanford on the body from the 6th. Wasted efforts.

And the flick hits a English leg and the umpire gives the 6th PC.

Gibson saves. But the umpire points for a 5th. India need to score.

And it’s a 4th now. The 3rd was created by some brilliant skills shown by Sumit Kumar.

3rd PC for India.

Fiery flick by Varun but Gibson saves.

Scuffle as India take shots and the umpire gives a 2nd PC.

Gurjant Singh reverse is saved by Gibson. But India get a PC, their 1st of the match.

In the last two minutes of the 1st quarter, India held and made three shots out of which Gibson conceded once and twice had to clear it away.

Finally pace shown by the Indians. The first quarter is over. India lead 1-0.

Lovely counter by India. Showing their pace on the flank. Ramandeep goes in and Talwinder hits it towards goal as Gibson takes shot on the glove but Lakra following up bangs it in for India to lead 1-0.

GOAL. GOAL.

Shilanand Lakra scores. India lead against the run of play. India 1-0

Another wrong pass from Nilakanta Sharma in India’s own half.  India making things difficult for itself. No players in sight to pick up balls as Nilam Xess frustrated shoots out.

It’s a weak display till now. England ensuring India remain on the defensive.

India is easily giving away the initiative to England – wrong passes and finding the wrong man.

England enjoying the lions share after ten mins in the 1st quarter. They already have six shots on goal with Suraj saving thrice.

Middleton push and Suraj saves again. India pegged back easily by England.

India again giving balls easily in the middle. England attack. Suraj saves.

India in England’s half. And Ramandeep almost has the goal. But English GK Gibson brings off a great save.

Wonderful flank to flank play by England. And David Condon almost gets a goal. India unable to hold. Ultra Defensive.

India almost gave away a PC. England on the rampage. Phil Roper creating goalbound moves there.

India on the attack. In the English half. And it’s a wonderful English counter that Suraj saves.

And there they go. Ramandeep Singh with the first touch.

We are moments away from the match. England in a huddle.

For the stats minded, England beat India 3-2 in their last match played at the HWL Finals in Bhubaneswar. Sam Ward who scored a brace that evening is in the team here. For India, Rupinder and Akashdeep had scored. Both the Indian players are back home being rested.

And that’s the Indian National Anthem. Followed by England’s.

Teams are coming on now. Lining up for the National Anthem. It’s India Vs England.

India is starting with Suraj Karkera in goal. And it should be a big challenge for Suraj against the speedy English. There would be a lot of snap shots, first time hits and an alert Suraj should do well today.

Fixtures of the day 

The 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will enter its second day with these games on the schedule. Here’s how this tournament will play out on 4th March. #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/BQUHXeh63f

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 4, 2018

Keeping almost ten of the top players back home, India are using a mixed team of youngsters with three making their senior debut. And the youngsters are doing a good job.

India’s starting line-up

Here’s the starting XI for Indian Men’s Hockey Team as they face England in their second match of the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on 4th March 2018. Catch all the action LIVE on Star Sports1/1 HD and Hotstar.#IndiaKaGame #INDvENG #SultanAzlanShahCup pic.twitter.com/m4EfXzNbj9

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 4, 2018

Indian captain Sardar Singh, Sumit and Uthappa need to play at their best in the midfield while Dipsan and Surender Kumar are the key men in the defence. India need to win today if they want to challenge for a place in the Azlan final.

Good News. It’s stopped raining. The teams are walking off the pitch to the dressing room. We are minutes away from the match now.

India are playing their 79th match with England (includes GB also). India have won 39, drawn 12 and lost 27. Today, coached by the Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, India would hope that their core, the midfield works according to the plan and creates opportunities for the forwards to score.

India need three points and so do England. Both teams lost their opening matches on the first day. England beaten 1-4 by Australia and India beaten 2-3 by the Olympic Champions Argentina.

Welcome to the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament. It’s India taking on reigning champions England. In fact, for the purist, it’s GB that last played last year beating Australia in the final. And it’s pouring here at the Azlan Shah Stadium. Both teams training in the downpour. But this rain is not supposed to last long as the skies seem to be clearing.

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of India’s second match in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018. The Sardar Singh-led team takes on England.