India go out as they slump to their third consecutive defeat at the World Cup.

By Anshul Baijal

All Indian hopes of a semi-final berth went up in smoke as they crashed to a 3-2 defeat against England on Saturday night at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Two goals from Ashley Jackson and one from James Tindall helped the Three Lions to secure a place in the last-four of the hockey World Cup. Gurwinder Singh Chandi and captain Rajpal Singh pulled two goals back for the home team, but it was not enough to keep them alive in the tournament.

The English team was on the offensive right from the start and it finally paid off in the 16th minute when Tindall deflected in a cross from Nick Catlin.

Both the teams played open and fluent hockey, creating many chances but failed to make them count. India's best chance of the first half came in the 24th minute, when Shivendra Singh, who was making a comeback after serving a two-match ban, had only the keeper to beat but he failed to get past him.

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The Indian team strode out with a lot more intent and created many chances after the break. However, despite all their efforts it was England who doubled the lead in the 42nd minute as FIH Young Player of the Year Jackson shot in the upper right corner to make it 2-0.

Five minutes later, Jackson scored his fifth goal of the tournament to hand England a comfortable 3-0 lead.

After that India attacked relentlessly and Chandi pulled a goal back for India in the 54th minute when he scored off a Sarvanjit Singh cross.

Three minutes later, skipper Rajpal reduced the deficit to one goal when he slammed home off another Sarvanjit cross.

India, looking for their first win in three games, could not keep a tab on their emotions and played the last three minutes with nine men as Sardar Singh and Gurbaj Singh were shown yellow cards for dangerous tackles.

India almost drew level in the last minute, but Rajpal could not put the ball into an open net off an Arjun Halappa cross.

The English team survived last few nervous minutes to hold onto their lead and take all three points from the game.

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