Commonwealth Games Pool A India 2 England 3 England won against India at the University of Birmingham on Tuesday to keep the top spot in Pool A. They will be able to beat Wales on Thursday to qualify for the semi-finals of the pool.

The hosts beat Canada 5-0 in Melbourne, Scotland 5-0, and Barbados 10-0 at the Melbourne International Pool. This matches their 2006 record. But for Vandana Katariya’s penalty corner conversion with mere seconds remaining, England would also have matched their record of keeping three successive clean sheets.

BIRMINGHAM – Commonwealth Games 2022 15 India v England (Pool A) Picture: England huddle. COPYRIGHT Worldsportpics Frank Uijlenbroek BIRMINGHAM – Commonwealth Games 2022 15 India v England (Pool A) Picture: L-R Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge COPYRIGHT WORLDSPORTPICS FRANK UIJLENBROEK BIRMINGHAM – Commonwealth Games 2022 15 India v England (Pool A) Picture: Sonika and Isabelle Petter COPYRIGHT WORLDSPORTPICS FRANK UIJLENBROEK England had drawn 1-1 with India in both teams’ first match at the Women’s World Cup in Amsteelveen and the matchup in Birmingham proved to be equally competitive, even when England battled to a three goal lead midway through the final quarter.

India suffered an early setback, Giselle Ansley converting England’s second penalty corner of the match in the third minute, an Indian defender deflecting the ball above the board, requiring the umpires to confirm the deflection via a video referral.

India was also denied their right to a Video Referral. This happened nine minutes later. Maddie Hinch, England’s goalkeeper, made a remarkable reaction and prevented the ball crossing the goal line. India challenged the decision not to award a goal but Hinch’s heroics confirmed that India would lose their video referral.

England were in the ascendancy in the first quarter with Flora Peel unlucky not to be in position to convert Lily Owsley’s cross and Ellie Rayer’s shot going past the right post. With 6 seconds remaining in the first period, India won their first penalty corner but Hinch denied Gurjit Kaur to preserve England’s advantage.

India increased their pressure in the second quarter, forcing two penalty corners. Hinch saving Deep Grace Ekka and Gurjit Kaur shooting wide of the goal. England appeared to be unable to focus under Indian pressure towards the end of the first period, but they maintained their one goal lead at the half-way mark.

Rayer was frustrated twice early in the third quarter, attacking down the left as India defended well, with Sophie Hamilton having a shot blocked and Tess Howard’s follow-up shot whistling past the left post.

Indian resistance was broken in the 40th minute when Howard deflected Hamilton’s cross high into the roof of the net just inside the left post after Hamilton ran towards the Indian goal.

India trailing by 2-0, India took two quick penalty corners. Gurjit Kaur forced another save from Hinch, and Monika was unable to score the ball. Hinch was also tested by Vandana before the end the third quarter.

England was again in need of Hinch at the beginning of the fourth quarter, as Salima Tete (and Devi Sharmila) tried to bring India back into the match.

India then received a sucker punch in the 52nd minute as the Anna Toman and Hannah Martin penalty corner combination worked wonders for the third time in the tournament, Martin deflecting Toman’s drag-flick to give England a 3-0 lead. After an umpire video refer to verify that the injection had not been trapped outside of the circle, the goal was awarded.

India won the eighth penalty corner with 9.6 seconds left. Vandana converted it to make the final score 3-1.

Wales will face England on Thursday at 1100 England faced Wales last time in 2018 at the Commonwealth Games on Gold Coast, when England won 5-1. Wales has lost the previous four meetings with England, losing 6-0 in 1978, 4-1 in 2010, and 2-0 in 2014.

India: Scorer: Vandana Katariya 60-PC

Starters: Gurjit Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka, Sharmila Devi, Savita (GK and Capt.), Vandana Katariya, Udita, Jyoti, Navneet Kaur, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Salima Tete, Neha.

Subs: Sonika (3 mins), Nikki Pradhan (4), Sangita Kumari (5), Nisha (5), Lalremsiami (5), Monika (6).

Sub not used Rajani Etimarpu, (GK).

Cards: Green (35 mins).

England: Scorers: Giselle ansley 18-PC; Tess Howard 40F, Hannah Martin 52F

Starters: Maddie Hinch (GK); Laura Unsworth, Anna Toman, Hannah Martin, Ellie Rayer, Izzy Petter, Giselle Ansley, Hollie Pearne-Webb (GK); Fiona Crackles, Lily Owsley, Flora Peel.

Subs: Holly Hunt (3 mins), Tess Howard(3), Shona McAllin (3), Sophie Hamilton ((4), Grace Balsdon(4), Lily Walker (5).

Sub not used: Sabbie Sheesh (GK).

Cards: Green: Hannah Martin (17 mins), Flora Peel (23 mins).

Wanri Venter (South Africa), and Cookie Tan (Singapore) are the umpires.

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