Ajay, Varun’s twin strikes help India colts beat England 7-1

India’s junior men’s hockey team maintained its unbeaten run on the tour of England by thrashing the host 7-1 at the Bisham Abbey Sports Centre in Marlow. Ajay Yadav and Varun Kumar starred in India's win with two goals apiece.

Holding possession for sustained periods seemed to be India’s tactical objective in its big win.

India’s junior men’s hockey team maintained its unbeaten run on the tour of England by thrashing the host 7-1 at the Bisham Abbey Sports Centre in Marlow. For India, Ajay Yadav (27th, 43rd minutes) and Varun Kumar (32nd, 35th) scored two goals apiece on Thursday, while Manpreet (15th), Gurjant Singh (38th) and Simranjeet Singh (40th) found the back of the net once each.

England’s lone strike came from the stick of Ed Holer. Holding possession for sustained periods seemed to be India’s tactical objective as it started off the game, pulling the England team out of its positions and forcing it to create large spaces in its formation.

India’s relentless pressure resulted in the breakthrough when Manpreet found the net in the 15th minute. England hit back almost immediately through a penalty corner which was converted by Holer to level the scores.

Domination

But that was all England could manage as India took the lead in the second quarter when Gurjant’s cross found Ajay inside the circle and he made no mistake to give India the lead in the 27th minute.

Soon after, Varun Kumar increased India’s tally, scoring from a penalty corner in the 32nd minute. He doubled his tally just before half time by converting another set piece to ensure India went into the break leading 4-1.

India kept up its high tempo after the cross over and scored early via Gurjant before Simranjeet’s brilliant individual goal gave the visitor a 6-1 lead. India then earned two quick penalty corners and Ajay scored his second off an indirect hit for a 7-1 lead.