Men's FIH Hockey World Cup 2023: India play out entertaining draw against England

The Indian hockey team held England to a 0-0 draw after a thrilling Pool D match of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Sunday.

Both teams created ample chances throughout the match but neither team managed to register a goal on the scoreboard. The result keeps England at the top of Pool D with four points from two matches while India are second with as many points but an inferior goal difference (+5 to +2).

Spain, who beat bottom-placed Wales 5-1 earlier in the day, are third in Pool D.

The hosts started the match strongly but as the opening quarter progressed, England grew into the contest and started creating some dangerous opportunities and winning regular penalty corners. The Indian defence, however, held strong and PR Sreejesh ensured the scores stayed level with an instinctive save to thwart Sam Ward.

England won five PCs in the opening quarter itself compared to India’s one but the quarter ended goalless.

The Indian defence was kept on its toes for the first 10 minutes of the second quarter as England looked the likelier team to score but the final five minutes belonged to India, who created a flurry of goal-scoring opportunities just before the half-time hooter.

England goalkeeper Oliver Payne pulled off two brilliant saves off Hardik Singh and Akashdeep Singh while Manpreet Singh was just inches wide from finishing off a speedy counter-attack. Despite an abundance of chances, the two teams went into the break with the score at 0-0.

The third quarter was an engaging affair with plenty of chances at both ends. Hardik Singh, in particular, was impressive for India and was only denied a goal by a brilliant Oliver Payne. India also had the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed due to an infraction in the lead up.

With both teams on the lookout for a winner in the final quarter, it was the home team who took the early initiative but Payne and the English defence stood strong in face of the test.

As the quarter progressed, the match intensified with tackles flying in. With India deploying a high press, England also found some joy from counter-attacks but the goal remained elusive.

England could have hit India with a sucker punch right at the end as Nicholas Bandurak’s attempt from a PC hit the post in the final seconds.

The match ended goalless with both teams sharing the spoils.

India will face Wales in their final Pool D match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Graham Reid’s men will fancy themselves to secure a direct quarter-final spot against a Wales team, which has already let in 10 goals in their two matches.

The top team in each Pool qualifies directly for the quarter-final stage while the second and third teams move into the Crossover matches.

India vs England, FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 score and result

• Match: Pool D

• Live score: India 0-0 England (Full-time)

• Goal scorers: India - NA; England - NA

• Venue: Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela

• Player of the Match: Oliver Payne (England)

• Group Standings: India - 2nd; England - 1st