Hockey World Cup: India’s 32-year English curse continues as late goals seal 2-4 defeat | hockey news

NEW DELHI: India’s long wait for a World Cup victory over England continued on Monday as the top-ranked European team produced a dominant second-half display to beat Harmanpreet Singh’s side 4-2 in their second Group D match of the men’s Hockey World Cup.India fought back brilliantly after falling behind in the first quarter, with Harmanpreet and Dilpreet Singh scoring in the second quarter to put India ahead 2-1 at half-time. But England turned the match around after the break, scoring three goals to leave India staring at a crucial final group match against Pakistan.How it happened: India vs England, FIH World CupNicholas Bandurak opened the scoring in the 14th minute after England caught India on the counterattack. Hooper threw a long aerial pass, Rushmere controlled it superbly and found Bandurak who beat Mohith.India responded strongly in the second quarter. Harmanpreet equalized from a penalty corner in the 17th minute with a trademark move that flew into the top corner. Dilpreet then completed the comeback in the 25th minute, scoring the goal after Hardik and Abhishek combined brilliantly on the left.

England turns the game around after the break

India took their 2-1 lead into the long break, but England came back with much greater intensity. Their sustained pressure around the Indian circle finally broke the Indian defence.Stuart Rushmere equalized in the 39th minute, producing a magnificent deflection after England had put the ball into the circle. India seemed increasingly content to defend their narrow lead and England punished them for it.Just four minutes later, Henry Croft completed another clever attacking move to put England ahead. Rushmere again played a key role, initiating the move down the right before Croft received the ball close to goal and drilled it into the far bottom corner.England then effectively sealed the match in the 55th minute when Bandurak scored his second of the night from a penalty corner. The striker unleashed a powerful shot straight down the middle, leaving no chance for Indian goalkeeper Suraj.India could not pull off another comeback as England comfortably managed the final stages.

India’s path to the second round now passes through Pakistan

The defeat leaves India with three points from two matches after their first 3-1 win over Wales. England, meanwhile, won both their matches and consolidated their position in first place in Group D.India now faces a high-stakes clash against Pakistan on Wednesday. They need at least a draw to qualify for the second round, while a defeat would end their World Cup campaign.The result also extended India’s long World Cup drought against England. Their last victory over the English in the tournament came in 1994, when India won 1-0 in the fifth-sixth place match in Sydney. England subsequently defeated India in the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions, while their last meeting in 2023 ended in a goalless draw.Despite enjoying 51 per cent possession and registering 11 shots on goal to England’s 10, India once again found the final difference decisive. England simply made better use of their opportunities, especially after the break.For India, the equation is now simple. They must avoid defeat against Pakistan to keep their campaign alive, while England face Wales in their final Group D match.