Hockey World League Semifinal Highlights: Ramandeep Smashes Late Winner as India Beat France

Sardar Singh & Co. beat France 3-2 in their Hockey World League semis opener. Catch all live updates here.

India's Manpreet Singh scored the second goal of the game.

22.59: It's all over! India have beaten France 3-2 to kick-start their Hockey World League Semis off to a solid start. Goals from Manpreet Singh, Devindar Walmiki and Ramandeep Singh sealed the win for India.

22.57: GOAL! What a time for India to take the lead! Ramandeep fires the third goal with under two minutes to go.

22.54: India's penalty corner is off-target. The score remains 2-2 with four minutes to play.

22.53: PENALTY CORNER for INDIA!

22.51: In the final quarter, France look the better side as far as attacking intent is concerned. They've made a few good runs so far. India have looked a bit cautious as they look for the winner. Five minutes to go.

22.43: The final period is now underway. Can India stage another comeback?

22.42: At the end of third quarter, India and France are level on 2-2.

22.36: FRANCE EQUALISE! Martin Brisac Simon pulls things back for France.

22.34: More problems for France as they lose their referral after appealing for a penalty corner. Six minutes remain in the third quarter.

22.32: What a sensational save from Sreejesh! A lot of France players crowd the inner circle in search of their equaliser. India's defence looks a bit stretched but Sreejesh makes a remarkable one-handed save to parry the ball away.

22.28: That second goal has given the Indian team a lot of confidence. They've dominated possession and haven't given France any spaces to make in-roads.

22.23: The third quarter is underway.

22.11: Devinder's shot went in off the post as India went into half-time with a precious 2-1 lead.

Devindar Walmiki scores on his debut. Day to remember @DWalmiki

- Give Me Hockey (@hockeyind) June 20, 2015

22.10: ANOTHER GOAL! India have the lead! Devindar Walmiki puts India ahead right before half-time. Superb turnaround, this.

22.08: GOAL! Manpreet Singh converts the penalty corner to draw level early in the second quarter. India 1 France 1

22.07: Superb save by the French keeper but India have another Penalty corner.

22.05: PENALTY CORNER for India!

22.03: Probing counter attack from France but the final attempt is not strong enough to beat the Indian keeper. France still lead 1-0 with five minutes to play in the second quarter.

22.02: India's relentless attacks continue but to no avail. More crosses are making their way into the circle but there are no takers. India are lacking precision in the final third here.

21.58: India have enjoyed majority of the possession but France have made their chances count.

21.57: GOALLLL? Nope! Jasjit gets the ball into the back of the net but there was no deflection on it. Crowd erupts before realising that France continue to lead. 13 minutes to go in the quarter.

21.54: The second quarter is underway. Can India pull things back here?

21.53: Interesting 'stat' this:

Five Brothers in today's game,three for France, Tom, Hugo and Martin Genestet while Devinder and Yuvraj Walmiki for India #HWL2015 #FRAvsIND

- Give Me Hockey (@hockeyind) June 20, 2015

21.52: END OF FIRST QUARTER: FRANCE LEAD 1-0 vs INDIA

21.51: France miss a golden opportunity to double their lead in the final minute of the first quarter. India counter quickly and force another superb save from the French keeper.

21.47: Devinder and Yuvraj Walmiki surge forward, past the French midfield but the latter can't hold onto possession. France are doing well to get enough men behind in defence. Four minutes to go in first quarter.

21.43: India come close! India force a shot off Akashdeep's cross but the French keeper does well to keep the ball out in the eighth minute.

21.40: India's defence has been shaky and France continue to attack in numbers.

21.37: GOAL! France stun Sardar Singh & Co. with an early 1-0 lead in the third minute. Olivier Sanchez the scorer.

21.37: India line-up with 4-3-3 formation - the first quarter is underway.

21.34: The two teams are out in the middle, the national anthems have been sung - it's time for action!

21.25: India will be without Rupinder Pal Singh. The player slipped during training and is out due to injury. Will be interesting to see how big a blow that turns out to be for India. Rupinder had scored three goals in the practice games.

21.23: In case you missed it, the women's team lost their game 1-0 against Belgium a little while ago.

21.21: India are already assured of a spot in next year's Rio Olympics and will be expected to try out new strategies and set plays against the 18th-placed France side.

21.19: A confident India take on a defensively solid French team today. Can Sardar Singh & Co. continue their good form from practice games?

Sardar Singh in action against Great Britain in practice game.

© NDTV

India Begin Semi-Final Campaign Against France

Following a relatively long break, the Sardar Singh-led Indian hockey team will begin their campaign with more than a point to prove when they take on World No.18 France in their Pool A opener of the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final here on Saturday.

The Asian giants have had a relatively good summer with a bronze medal finish in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and a 3-0 win over Japan in a bilateral four-Test home series. (Read more)

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The FIH Hockey World League (HWL) is upon us and the teams are gearing up at Antwerp to secure their berths for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The first edition of the Hockey World League was played in 2012/2013 and since then it is played every two years.

The Hockey World League is designed in such a way that over a two-year cycle, the competition serves as a qualifying tournament for both the Olympic Games and the FIH World Cup alongside the continental champions and hosts. The teams that fail to get a direct qualification into the Olympics by way of being continental champions thus, get a second bite at the cherry. (Read more)