Daily Telegraph 2nd July 2007

 

England miss out in battle for bronze

By Sean Cotter in Antwerp
 

England staged a great comeback to almost take their Champions Challenge third place match against India into extra time before finally going down 4-3.

 

Their chances of a bronze medal receded dramatically during the opening 22 minutes when India scored all four of their goals.

However, the sparkle came back into England's game once Rob Moore had scrambled in Jonty Clarke's cross just before the interval.

A rebounded penalty stroke, smashed back into goal by James Tindall 20 minutes into the second half, increased their hopes. Then an expertly improvised penalty corner move, involving four passes, allowed Simon Mantell to set up a thrilling finish.

But despite their constant pressure in the final seven minutes, England could not force an equaliser.

England had reached the bronze medal position with a comprehensive 6-2 victory over Belgium to displace the hosts from fourth position in the six-nation round-robin opening phase of the tournament.