India vs Great Britain Hockey World League Quarterfinal Highlights: Talwinder, Raghunath Goals Guide Hosts Into Semis

India team stormed into the FIH Hockey World League Finals as they beat table-toppers Great Britain 2-1 at a jam-packed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Raipur. After VR Raghunath gave India lead in the 19th minute, the hosts extended their lead with a Talwinder Singh stunner in the 39th minute. Simon Mantell did raise Great Britain's hopes with a goal but the World No. 5 failed to convert their chances. P Sreejesh was like the Great Wall for India with numerous saves, including a point-blank stop in the closing stages.

20:06 IST HRS: It's the end of the game as India edge out England 2-1 to enter the semi-final of the FIH World Hockey Final. England did have their chances in the dying moments but failed to convert them as the hosts won their first game against Team GB sice 1980. 

20:00 IST HRS: Another Penalty corner for Great Britain with less than two minutes to go! A save from Indian team but a hit on Indian player mean it could be another penalty corner -- Indians ask for a review -- Replays confirms referee's decision. 

GBR 1-2 IND Mantell deflects in after a broken down PC to give GB hope #HWL2105 #Raipur https://t.co/jPLXzDvCNp

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 3, 2015

 

19:50 IST HRS: GOAL!!!! Penalty Corner for Great Britain with just nine minutes to go. Simon Mantell pulls one back for Team GB with a deflected goal as India's defence was left helpless. Ian Sloan manages to sweep one to Mantell, who manages to get his stick out to put the ball beyond Sreejesh.

19:46 IST HRS: India down to 10-men now as Rupinder Pal gets a two-minute suspension after a foul on Britain player.  

19:42 IST HRS: End of third quarter with India leading 2-0 against World No. 5. The last time India beat Great Britain was way back in 1980 in Karachi in the Champions Trophy.

19:36 IST HRS: High drama here in Raipur as Indian defence stands strong against Great Britain forwards. As referee awards the visitors India go in for a referral. Replays shows that Team GB player blocked Raghunath. Pressure averted once again by Indian defence.

19:32 IST HRS: GOAL!!! Talwinder Singh scores with a stunner. Great cross from Kothajit Singh finds Talwinder in the perfect position, who scores from an acute angle to leave the Raipur crowd on their feet.

GBR 0-2 IND After a lightning break, Talwinder smashes in from a tight angle #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/udXz3rd0B2

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 3, 2015

19:31 IST HRS: Sardar Singh's beautiful pass had Ramandeep in a goal-scoring position but the Indian forward fails to score with the back-flick. Britain's goalie James Bailey rushed forward as Ramandeep's flick hits the post. 

19:25 IST HRS: Great Britain are failing to convert their chances. Another golden opportunity gone waste as an unmarked David Condon can't get one past Sreejesh in the 33rd minute.

19:22 IST HRS: Meanwhile Great Britain have made a change at the goal -- bringing in Wimbledon's goalie James Bailey in place of Dan Shingles.

19:20 IST HRS: Great Britain coach Bobby Crutchley reckons it is still a tight game and would like to see his players to penetrate Indian defence more often and convert the chance that they get.

19:15 IST HRS: Half-Time!!!! India go into the break 1-0.

India's Sardar Singh (right) leads his team out to the middle during the Hockey World League quaerterfinal game against Great Britain at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Raipur. (Image Credit: Hockey India)

 

19:10 IST HRS: This has been a completely different performance from the hosts. Great Britain who hold a 5-0 record in their previous five meetings have not really challenged India's defence, and whatever little chance they got Sreejesh was there to save India.

19:05 IST HRS: India had a golden opportunity to extend the lead only to squander it. Ramandeep, who eased past the defenders in the mid-field, but a soft cross gave enough time for England defender. 

India players celebrate after a goal.

© AP

 

18:58 IST HRS: GOAL!!!! First Penalty Corner for India!!! India's Aamir Khan helps India earn a penalty corner for India as his shot hits the foot of Dan Shingles. Sardar Singh pushes one to VR Raghunath who shoots it past Harry Gibson to give India 1-0 lead. 

GBR 0-1 Ragunath fires in at India's first PC #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/WhhygjpzOb

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 3, 2015

Indian Hockey Team coach Roelant Oltmans giving instructions to his players ahead of the quarterfinal game of the Hockey World League final in Raipur. (Image Credit: Hockey India)

 

18:47 IST HRS: On the other end England get the first Penalty Corner!!! It was a cheap penalty conceded by India as Jasjeet swings wildly as it hits VR Raghunath's foot. However, a firm push from Ian Solan was brilliantly saved by Srejeesh, who has been the Great Wall of India in the tournament.

GBR 0-0 IND First chance falls to GB at a Penalty corner #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/1NqTBuwFN3

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 3, 2015

 

18:45 IST HRS: Good run from Devinder Walmiki as he runs almost 40 yards and almost created a scoring opportunity but was thwarted.   

18:42 IST HRS: India have begun well by building pressure up front as SV Sunil shoots one really hard but there is no one to do the follow up.

18:39 IST HRS: Indian team has the experience to win the big games. The hosts have nine players with more than 90 caps. 

18:33 IST HRS: Viren Rasquinha seems to be pretty confident of an Indian win. He took to Twitter to show his support. 

 

Ind Vs GB. Should be a rocking QF tonight. Come on India @TheHockeyIndia. #WHL2015 #IndiakaGame

- Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) December 3, 2015

18:30 IST HRS: Indian fans are out in force to support the hosts as players run out to the middle. National Anthem playing at the backdrop as we are all set for the crucial game. 

18:00 IST HRS: Great Britain have been a dominant force in the Hockey World League Final and the way they performed against Australia was simply sensational.

Indian Hockey Team coach Roelant Oltmans giving instructions to his players ahead of the quarterfinal game of the Hockey World League final in Raipur. (Image Credit: Hockey India)

 18:00 IST HRS: We are just half an hour away from the crucial encounter between India and Great Britain. Indian team know the importance and were seen slogging hard in the middle. 

Great Britian have topped Pool A in style and have look the dominant side after thrashing world champions Australia 5-2 for a stunning victory. (Image Credit: Hockey India)

PREVIEW

Great Britain have been the toast of the FIH Hockey World League final in Raipur. They topped their pool (A) in style - they did not lose a match and whipped world champions Australia 5-2 for a stunning victory.

World No. 4 Britain have scored 11 goals in the tournament so far and that speaks volumes of their strikers - Alastair Brogdon, Simon Mantell and David Condon. Britain have scored more field goals and that means they will test India's defence to the fullest.

The tight 3-3 draw in their last pool game against Belgium exposed Britain's ability to face tough challenges.