India lose to Great Britain in 4-Nation hockey meet

New Delhi, May 4, 2012: India went down fighting 2-4 to Great Britain in the Four-Nation London Olympics Hockey Test Event at the Riverbank Arena, Olympic Park yesterday.

The goal scorers for Great Britain were Rob Moore (4thminute), Simon Montell (11th minute) and Ashley Jackson (24th and 26th minute), while V R Raghunath (Penalty Corner 16th minute) and Sandeep Singh (Penalty Corner 47thminute) were on target for India.

Great Britain took the lead in the 4th minute through a direct flick by striker Rob Moore and seven minutes later Simon Montell made it 2-0. However India showed great commitment and reduced the margin when V R Raghunath brought his team back into the game by converting a penalty corner in the 16th minute. Great Britain's Ashley Jackson scored twice in three minutes to double the lead of hosts over India.

In the second half, India engineered some impressive plays in a strong fight back. Indian defence also put up a much improved show denying any goal to their rivals. Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a good save in the 40thminute denying a hat-trick goal chance for Great Britain striker Ashley Jackson.

India tried hard to reduce the margin in the second half of the game when they earned a penalty corner in the 47th minute through drag-flicker Sandeep Singh deflected a well directed ball by Sardar Singh to the nets.

India were distinctly unlucky not to get their third goal when Britain defender Richard Smith made a good save in the last minute of the match.

A Hockey India Press release