After comprehensively winning their opening match of the FIH World Cup against Spain by 2-0, India had a stern test against an in-form England. Both the teams played a goalless draw at Rourkela on Sunday.
India’s head coach Graham Reid feels they defended really well throughout the game. India conceded eight penalty corners but successfully defended all of them. The home team earned four penalty corners but could not convert a single one of them into a goal.
“We have been leaking goals since the Tokyo Olympics but now we have got back-to-back clean sheets, that is the positive from this match,” Reid said at the post-match press conference.
“We conceded too many penalty corners but at the same time we defended them very well,” he added.
Meanwhile, Krishan Pathan and Sreejesh have been brilliant in front of the goal for India and they have done a fine job in maintaining a clean sheet in both of the matches.
Reid also provided an update on Hardik Singh, who suffered a hamstring injury.
Reid said, “It looked pretty bad when he came off but I have gotten an update and it is not that bad as we originally thought. We will have an update on that, we will see.”
The Australian added he was happy with the commitment, which was shown by the players throughout the 60 minutes.
“At this level, when you are playing fast-paced hockey, it happens. It is always a concern if you concede that many penalty corners. We are going to try and make amends.”
“We have to try and do better inside the opposition circle. But I am very pleased with the commitment of the players. It was a high-skilled hockey played by both the teams, it was a telling match and both came off exhausted.”
Speaking on conceding eight penalty corners, Reid said, “England and Netherlands are very similar and they attacked very quickly and they would push a lot of people forward and they create opportunities.
“But we defended very well. I think our keeper did not touch the ball from the penalty corners.”
India will play their final Group match against Wales on Thursday.
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