Harmanpreet's hat-trick hands India 4-3 win over England in FIH Pro League

Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick as the Indian men's hockey team eked out a narrow 4-3 win over England in the second match of the double-leg FIH Pro League tie on Sunday. Harmanpreet (26th, 26th, 43rd) sounded the board thrice while Olympic bronze medal-winning skipper Manpreet Singh (15th) scored a goal to help India extend their lead at the top of the standings. England's goals came from the sticks of Liam Sanford (7th), David Condon (39th) and Sam Ward (44th).

Interestingly, all the seven goals in the match were scored from penalty corner opportunities. England had the better share of possession in the match, but it was India who had the last laugh. India converted four of the eight penalty corners they secured in the match, while England scored from three of their six short corners.

Despite inferior ball possession, India had more circle penetrations. The hosts penetrated England's circle 24 times as against their rivals' 17. In terms of shots on goal, India were the better side as they hit their rival goal 10 times, while England had just five shots on the home team's citadel.

After conceding an early goal, India bounced back soon and equalised at the stroke of the first quarter through Manpreet. Harmanpreet scored two goals in succession in the 26th minute to go into the breather with a comfortable 3-1 lead. England did enjoy possession but it was India who controlled the proceedings with more circle penetrations and penalty corners in the first two quarters.