Host India shoot out England 3-2 in the first of their double-leg matches of the FIH Men Hockey Pro League at Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar today. The hard-fought match went to the shoot-out after play in the regulation time ended in 3-3 draw.

The shoot-out win fetched India two points, including one bonus point, while England settled with one point. With this win, India climbed to the top of the table, gathering a total of 18 points from nine matches.

Riding on a goal each by Abhishek, Shamsher Singh and Harmanpreet Singh India led 3-2 at one stage. But England got a penalty stroke with just 12 seconds left as a shot headed for goal hit Sumit on his leg.

Sam Ward scored the resulting stroke and the match went into a shoot-out, where both teams scored two of their first five attempts. India went first in the sudden death and after both teams missed their first attempts, Abhishek scored the second one for India, while Ward missed his from the spot.

Harmanpreet was named as the Player of the Match. The match became important for Odisha as three players from the State played for the National team. Among them, defender Amit Rohidas continued to lead the team with good effect. Other two Odisha players were forward Shilanand Lakra and defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess.

RESULT:
2 April 2022 (Match 33): India (Abhishek 14-FG, Shamsher Singh 27-FG, Harmanpreet Singh 52-PC) beat England (Nicholas Bandurak 8-PC, 28-PC; Sam Ward 60-PS) 3-2 in shoot out (Regulation time 3-3). Shootout scorers: India (Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, Abhishek) beat Englad (Christopher Griffiths, James Albery) 3-2. PoM: Harmanpreet Singh.
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PHOTO: Odisha and India defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess in action during the first-leg FIH Pro League match against England in Bhubaneswar on 2 April 2022.