The Hockey World League Semi-Final 2017 was held at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London from June 15 to June 25, 2017. This tournament was a very important one as it not only showcased the top hockey teams but also helped decide which teams would qualify for the 2018 Hockey World Cup and the World League Final.
India was placed in Pool B along with Netherlands, Canada, Pakistan, and Scotland. Now, let’s take a look at how India performed in each match, broken down into Pool Stage and Quarterfinals!
Pool Stage Matches:
Match 1: India vs Scotland (June 15, 2017)
Score: India 4 – 1 Scotland
India started the tournament with a strong win over Scotland. Rupinder Pal Singh scored two goals from penalty corners, showing his skill at set pieces. Akashdeep Singh and Harmanpreet Singh also added one goal each, and India’s defense kept Scotland in check. The final score of 4–1 made it a perfect start for India in this tournament.
Match 2: India vs Canada (June 17, 2017)
Score: India 3 – 0 Canada
In their second match, India continued their strong form and defeated Canada 3–0. SV Sunil scored first after a quick counterattack. Then, Akashdeep Singh and Sardar Singh added to the score. India’s midfield, led by Manpreet Singh, controlled the match, and their defense kept Canada from scoring. It was another fantastic performance by the team.
Match 3: India vs Pakistan (June 18, 2017)
Score: India 7 – 1 Pakistan
This was a match full of excitement as India faced their biggest rival, Pakistan. India completely dominated the game, winning 7–1. Harmanpreet Singh and Talwinder Singh each scored two goals, while Akashdeep Singh and Pardeep Mor added one goal each. The Indian team played fast and aggressive, showing great teamwork and skill. This match was one of India’s biggest wins against Pakistan!
Match 4: India vs Netherlands (June 20, 2017)
Score: India 1 – 3 Netherlands
India’s final pool match was against the Netherlands, one of the top teams in the world. India played hard, but they lost 1–3. Akashdeep Singh scored a wonderful solo goal by dribbling past three defenders. However, the Netherlands scored twice from penalty corners and once from open play. Even though they lost, India’s earlier wins helped them move to the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal Matches:
Quarterfinal: India vs Malaysia (June 22, 2017)
Score: India 2 – 3 Malaysia
This was a very disappointing loss for India. India and Malaysia fought hard, but Malaysia won 3–2. Razie Rahim scored two penalty corners for Malaysia, putting India in a difficult position. India fought back with two goals from Ramandeep Singh, but Malaysia scored once more in the second half to seal the win. India had a few chances to score in the final moments, but they couldn’t convert them, and they were knocked out of the tournament.
5th/6th Place Match:
Match: India vs Canada (June 25, 2017)
Score: India 2 – 3 Canada
In their final match, India played Canada again. India scored first, but then made mistakes in defense, allowing Canada to score three goals. Ramandeep Singh and Harmanpreet Singh scored for India, but it wasn’t enough. India lost 3–2, finishing the tournament in 6th place.
Final Thoughts
India’s journey in the 2017 Hockey World League Semi-Finals was full of big wins, brilliant goals, and some tough moments. The 7–1 victory over Pakistan was definitely the highlight, where the team showed their attacking brilliance. But in the quarterfinals, they were unlucky to lose to Malaysia, which ended their hopes for a top-four finish.
Although India didn’t finish on the podium, they still managed to qualify for both the 2018 World Cup and the World League Final. This was a huge achievement and showed that India’s team is ready for the next level. They may have missed out on a medal, but their spirit and strong performances gave fans many exciting memories!
