India lose to England 1-4

Johannesburg, July 18

India suffered a 4-1 loss to England in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Hockey World League Semifinal.

Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur (57th minute) was India’s lone scorer, while Giselle Ansley (6th), Alex Danson (13th), Susannah Townsend (42nd) and Hannah Martin (60th) scored for England.

India will next play the first match of their fifth to eighth placing games on July 20. England put India on the back foot in the first quarter when they won three back-to-back penalty corners, which resulted in England being awarded a penalty stroke. Ansley calmly placed the ball low to the right with the Indian goalkeeper moving in the opposite direction.

They extended the lead when Danson put the ball past goalkeeper Savita, making this her third goal of the tournament. India began well in the second quarter, winning a penalty corner. But the chance went begging with Anupa Barla missing a deflection off Rani’s hit by inches. India won another penalty corner in the 28th minute and this time Anupa managed to get a deflection but it hit the upright.

India went into half-time with eight circle penetrations and three shots on goals while England made 11 circle entries with three shots on goal. After the start of play, a defensive error led to England scoring through Townsend. India won two penalty corners but couldn’t make the opportunities count. A referral won India a penalty corner in the 57th minute and Gurjit struck a brilliant goal. England ended up scoring their fourth goal in the last minute. —  PTI