Mantell boosts English hopes

Simon Mantell: Notched late winner

Simon Mantell hit a late winner as England men’s team beat India 2-1 to boost their Rabobank Hockey World Cup hopes in Holland.

England had begun their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Spain in the Hague and looked to be heading to another stalemate when Mantell struck with a reverse finish with less than two minutes remaining.

Earlier, Mark Gleghorne opened the scoring from a penalty corner on 27 minutes to boost English hopes.

But the lead was short-lived, with Dharamvir Singh equalising three minutes later with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area through a crowd of players.

Neither side could make a further breakthrough until Mantell’s timely effort, which leaves England just two points behind Group A leaders Australia, who beat Spain 3-0 on Monday to make it two wins out of two.

The two teams will meet on June 7 in a clash which could go along way to deciding which of the pair progresses from Group A into the semi-finals.

Belgium, who beat India 3-2 in their opener, can go level on points at the head of the table with a win over Malaysia in Monday’s other game.