FIH Pro League 2021-22: Indian Men’s hockey team beat England 3-2 in opening match in Bhubaneswar

Indian men’s hockey team beat England 3-2 in a shootout in the opening match of the double-leg FIH Pro League 2021-22 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar yesterday evening.

The scores were level 3-3 after regulation time with Abhishek 14th minute, Shamsher Singh 27th, and Harmanpreet Singh 52nd minute scoring goals for India. England’s Nicholas Bandurak 8th, 28th minute, and Sam Ward scored in the 60th minute to level the game.

In the shootout, Abhishek scored twice and Raj Kumar Pal netted one while Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak made four saves to give India the bonus point.

As per FIH Pro League rules, if scores remain level at the end regulation period of four quarters, the match is considered a draw and both teams get a point each. A shootout follows, and the winner of the shootout bags an extra bonus point.

Harmanpreet Singh is the Player Of The Match for his good performance.

With this, India climbed to the top of the Pro League standings with 18 points from nine games. England, on the other hand, stayed seventh with two wins and seven points.

Both the teams will lock horns against each other again in the second match of the tie today at the same venue