India stun England
India's players run for joy moments after their 5-4 tiebreak win against England in the XIX Commonwealth Games men's hockey semifinal at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi yesterday. Photo: Reuters
The timing and the stage were perfect -- an evening start, thousands of fans and a match which could have seen India make their maiden appearance in the Commonwealth Games men's field hockey final.
The Indian team rose to the occasion, staging a remarkable rally to down World Cup semifinalists and European champions England on penalties in the semifinal of fluctuating fortunes before a capacity crowd.
Dancing and singing began in the stands when Shivender Singh converted the last penalty to give the hosts a 5-4 win in the shootout.
They will meet world champions Australia in the final.
Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri also played a key role in making India's night, saving a penalty after his team had overcome a 3-1 deficit in regulation time.
Indian hockey fan Sandip Bhatia was one of the thousands of fans who thronged the Dhyan Chand Stadium in the Indian capital, confident of the home team's victory.
"I am sure India will win as we have been playing very good hockey in this tournament," said Bhatia, who arrived with his family well before the start of the semifinal.
"I don't think holding such tournaments alone can revive hockey in the country. The good thing is that a lot of people are coming to watch the game. The real revival will come when we allow kids access to grounds and stadia."
Music was on and England players in red and white were the first to appear on to the ground for the warm up, greeted vociferously by spectators whose number kept increasing with each passing minute.
Field hockey, a poor cousin to cricket in the country, enjoyed a day in the sun, or rather a night in the floodlights, on Sunday when a capacity 19,000 watched the hosts thrash arch-rivals Pakistan 7-4 in a key pool tussle.
The victory over Pakistan in the exciting match raised fans' expectations and interest, despite the history being against India who had never won a men's field hockey medal at the Games.
With flocks of kites hovering over the playing arena and floodlights on, the flag-waving spectators started cheering even when the rival teams were only warming up.
Stands were packed during the India-Pakistan match on Sunday, but there were a few empty seats when Tuesday's game started. The stadium was virtually full when the thriller ended.
"India, India," roared the crowd, and the noise was deafening when India earned their first penalty-corner in the 16th minute, converted by Sarvanjit Singh.
The joy was short-lived as England's Ashley Jackson struck to make it 1-1. India's best came after they trailed 3-1, producing a series of raids to keep pressure on the England defence.
Indian student Puneet Jain was one the fans who left the stadium in happy mood.
"I am following cricket (the second and final Test between India and Australia is finely-poised at Bangalore) on the Internet, but my family loves hockey," Jain, 21, said before the start of the match.
"The main problem is getting tickets as five of my friends are still outside the stadium. Of course, I will be very disappointed if India lose. England are a very good side."
England did look a better side in the second half, scoring two goals to gain a 3-1 advantage.
But it was just the beginning of India's revival.
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