FIH Hockey Pro League: Sam Ward's Brace Powers England To 3-2 Win Over India

Sam Ward's brace secured a thrilling 3-2 victory for England over India's men's team in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Ward raised his season's tally to 11 goals by scoring twice (19' and 29') following James Payton's opener (15'). India responded with two goals from Abhishek (18') and Sukhjeet Singh (39') but were undone by some resolute defending from England. A pacey first quarter witnessed intense attacking action on both ends of the pitch in search of the opening goal, but the defences stood strong. India had a solid chance in the 10th minute when Manpreet Singh threaded a neat ball towards Uttam Singh, but the English back-line cleared the chance.

India were cognizant of the fact that England had scored the second-most goals in the tournament and opted for a deep defence, but their backline was breached in the final minute of the first quarter. Payton received the ball on the left byline and dribbled past a couple of defenders before sliding the ball under an onrushing Krishan Pathak.

England led 1-0 in the 15th minute, but their lead lasted only three minutes as Abhishek netted the all-important equalizer. Sanjay brilliantly brought down a long ball and worked his way into the right flank before firing a low cross towards the centre of the goal. Abhishek showed great skill to step in front of his marker and squeeze the ball past the defence to make it 1-1 in the 18th minute.

However, England needed less than a minute to bounce back as Ward scored after a superb team move. He surged ahead on the counter and played a stunning one-two with Payton. The goal-scorer turned provider as Payton squared the ball to Ward, and he slotted the ball into an empty goal for