FIH Pro League 2022-23 hockey: India lose 4-2 to Great Britain, slip to second place in standings

The Indian men’s hockey team suffered its second straight defeat in the FIH Pro League 2022-23 after losing 4-2 to Great Britain in London on Saturday.

Following the loss, India, with 19 points from 10 matches, slipped to the second spot in the FIH Pro League 2022-23 standings while Great Britain jumped up to the top position with 22 points from nine games.

For India, Harmanpreet Singh (13', 42’) scored a brace while Timothy Nurse (6'), Thomas Sorsby (31'), Lee Morton (33') and Nicholas Bandurak (53') dound the net for Great Britain.  

Playing at the Lee Valley Stadium, India got off to a quick start and made searing runs into Great Britain’s half. However, it was the hosts who enjoyed possession and looked dangerous in the attack.

Great Britain dominated the midfield and scored the opening goal. Timothy Nurse dribbled past Lalit Upadhyay and Mandeep Mor from the left before shooting past Indian keeper Krishan Pathak for his first international goal.

India shrugged off the disappointment of conceding the opener and went on the offensive. The visitors kept attacking Great Britain’s half and the hosts’ defence relented  under pressure as India equalised via a penalty corner. Harmanpreet Singh rifled a drag flick into the back of the net for his 12th goal of the season as the first quarter ended 1-1.

The second quarter saw India and Great Britain battle for possession. India almost took the lead when Gurjant Singh deflected the ball past Great Britain’s custodian, only for the goal to be overruled as the ball had hit the back of  Abhishek’s stick. Minutes later, Great Britain were awarded a penalty stroke after Manpreet Singh tackled James Oates.

Zachary Wallace hit it to the left of PR Sreejesh who guessed it right and made a crucial save. The first half ended 1-1.

Great Britain started the third quarter in an offensive mode and quickly took the lead via a penalty corner. Nicholas Bandurak hit the ball towards goal only for Krishan Pathak to save it. However, Thomas Sorsby scooped the loose ball into the goal. India reviewed the goal but the TV umpire turned it down as the hosts led 2-1. 

Great Britain then doubled their lead via a field goal. Lee Morton dribbled past multiple Indian defenders and slotted it past the Indian custodian to make it 3-1 for the hosts.

India reduced the deficit minutes later via a penalty corner. Harmanpreet Singh slotted his drag flick into the net to score his 13th goal of the season and make it 3-2 for the visitors.

In the final quarter, India went on the offensive in search of the equaliser. However, Great Britain reinstated their two-goal cushion against the run of play.

James Oates won the ball near the circle and fired it into the top right corner. PR Sreejesh parried it, only for Nicholas Bandurak to slam the loose ball into the back of the net to make it 4-2 for the hosts. India called in an extra player in place of the goalkeeper for the final few minutes but failed to make it count as Great Britain held on to win 4-2.     

India will play Belgium next on Friday.