Hockey: England strike late, hold India 4-4 in Commonwealth Games

Birmingham, August 1

The Indian men’s hockey team squandered a three-goal advantage and was held to a 4-4 draw by hosts England in its second Pool B match at the Commonwealth Games here today.

Trailing 0-3, England came out hard in the final two quarters to stun the Indians. England were also helped by two yellow cards in the second half. India scored through Lalit Upadhayay (3rd minute), Mandeep Singh (13th and 22nd) and Harmanpreet Singh (46th). England produced a valiant fightback through Liam Ansell (42nd), Nick Bandurak (47th, 53rd) and Phil Roper (53rd). — PTI

Amit begins brightly as boxers roll on

Birmingham: Indian boxer Amit Panghal began his campaign at the Commonwealth Games with a facile win as he stormed into the men’s 51kg category quarterfinals here today. Panghal, a World Championships silver medallist, outpunched Namri Berri of Vanuatu via a unanimous verdict.

Mohammad Hussamuddin made it two out of two, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 57kg category with a similar 5-0 win over Mohammad Salim Hossain of Bangladesh in the Round of 16. Panghal is now one win away from securing his second CWG medal. “It was a good workout but it was easy. I could have stepped it up but there is a long way to go and I am here for gold,” Panghal said.