Indian colts begin England tour with 2-1 win over Scotland

Marlow (England), July 23: The Indian hockey junior men's team started their tour of England with a 2-1 victory over the Scotland senior team in the opening game at the Bisham Abbey Sports Centre on Friday. In wet and rainy conditions, India started off brightly and took the lead via Nilkantha's PC conversion. The two teams wrestled for control through the first half and despite having a majority share of the possession India could not double their lead, and went into half time with the 1-0 advantage. The second half had a delayed start as officials waited for the heavy rain to abate. After over forty minutes in the dressing room the two teams finally came out to the pitch for the second half and India almost immediately got down to business, missing a glorious chance on the restart. Scotland had a chance via a PC but it was saved by Krishna Pathak in goal. India doubled their lead via a quick counter in the final minutes of the second half scored by Simranjeet. Scotland rallied and William Marshall scored one goal late in the game but it proved to be little consolation as smart defending from India ensured they ended up 2-1 winners.