Dilpreet’s brace in vain as India lose to England in shootout

India fought back twice through Dilpreet Singh but eventually lost 1-4 in the shootout to hosts England after the two sides were locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time in their FIH Pro League match at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on Friday.

Dilpreet scored both of India’s goals in the 10th and 58th minutes, while David Goodfield (29′) and Nicholas Bandurak (56′) found the net for England. In the shootout, Thomas Sorsby, James Albery and captain Zachary Wallace converted for the hosts, with Wallace also scoring from a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet Singh was India’s only successful scorer in the shootout as England claimed the bonus point.

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India started brightly and earned the first penalty corner of the match, but Harmanpreet’s drag-flick was well saved by England goalkeeper James Mazarelo. England also won an early penalty corner, but Bandurak’s effort was blocked by the Indian defence.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when Mandeep Singh drove along the baseline before squaring the ball perfectly for Dilpreet, who dived in to guide the ball into the net.

India had a chance to double their lead early in the second quarter through another penalty corner, but Amandeep Lakra’s drag-flick was brilliantly cleared off the goal line by Sorsby. England made India pay just before half-time when Goodfield capitalised on a loose ball inside the circle and smashed home a volley to level the scores.

The third quarter was evenly contested, with both teams creating chances and earning penalty corners, but neither defence gave an inch as the score remained 1-1 heading into the final period.
England dominated possession in the fourth quarter and nearly took the lead, only for India goalkeeper Suraj Karkera to produce a superb save to deny Bandurak at the far post.

The hosts finally went ahead in the 56th minute when Bandurak converted a low drag-flick from a penalty corner. However, India’s response was immediate. Just two minutes later, Sumit produced an excellent run before finding Dilpreet inside the circle. The striker made no mistake, firing a powerful shot through the goalkeeper’s legs to restore parity and force the match into a shootout.

England held their nerve in the decider. Sorsby and Albery converted their opening attempts before Wallace scored from a penalty stroke and then added another successful attempt to seal a 4-1 shootout victory. Harmanpreet was the only Indian player to find the target as England secured the bonus point.