India go down to England in Hockey World Cup

India conceded another last minute goal as they went down 1-2 to England for their second consecutive loss in the FIH Hockey World Cup at the Kyocera Stadium here Monday.

India put on a vastly improved show but a 69th minute goal by Simon Mantell from a rebound off a penalty corner, that was well saved by goalie P.R.Sreejesh, cost them badly.

It was a spirited performance by the Indians as they were determined to bounce back from the 2-3 loss to Belgium in their opening match.

India started off well but England went into the lead in the 27th minute after Mark Gleghorne converted a penalty corner.

But the Indians were back in the reckoning within four minutes through Dharamvir Singh, who received a pin-point pass from skipper Sardar Singh and swung around to hit it straight into the net from the top of the circle.

Till the 68th minute, the Indians did well and it looked they would end with a draw, but a foul by Gurbaj Singh gave England the winner from the penalty corner.

The Indians did contest the penalty corner but it was upheld after a referral and Mantell scored from the rebound after Sreejesh had put on a brilliant effort to thwart the penalty corner shot.