France has drawn its final match against India (2-2). The French men's team was composed by 21 players for the three games, including six players from the Development Squad. Seven of the 21 were from the France U21 team who are in their final preparation for the U21 European Championships at the end of July.
In its final game, France applied considerable pressure to the visiting team, rejuvenated after a disappointing second half of game two, where Les Bleus conceded five goals. After controlling most of the half and hitting the post twice, France finally broke the 0-0 deadlock after 30 minutes with a field goal to U21 player Olivier SANCHEZ, followed two minutes later with an Indian midfield turnover punished by Martin GENESTET.
The second half saw India noticeably increase the pressure on Les Bleus defense, who struggled to regain their first half control. India made the score 1-2 after 11 minutes of the second period after penalty corner ace Sandeep SINGH converted his sixth goal of the series.
India continued to pressure the French defense both with and without the ball for the next 20 minutes, before finally finding the equalizer via Captain Rajpal SINGH with 5 minutes remaining in the match.
Coach Scott GOODHEART was pleased with the final game draw, saying, ÔÇ£It was a much better performance that the second half of game, although I think we should have finished our chances in the first half to make it very hard to India to come back. India played very well in the second half and in some respects we did well to hang on to a draw.ÔÇØ
Games one and two of the series were both won by India 3-4 and 0-6 respectively.
Game one was a close affair between the hosts and the visitors with India keeping their nose just ahead of France throughout the match, leading by 1 goal for long periods. Three goals in the first 12 minutes of the match, two to India and one to France saw the game settle at 1-2 for most of the match.
France then equalized with 19 minutes remaining in the game, and a draw looked the most likely result, until three goals in the last five minutes, one from France and then two from India, the last in the final minute of the match, saw the game settle at 3-4 to the visitors. Fred SOYEZ scored France's three goals in a strong performance whilst India's Sandeep SINGH scored two goals from India's two penalty corners.
In game two, a closely contested first half saw the game rest at 0-1 to India at the break, before an impressive display of attacking hockey split the game open to finish at 0-6. Sandeep SIGNH was once again the destroyer for India, scoring three goals from five corners. France did not convert any of their five penalty corners for the match.
ÔÇ£This was another useful series for France. This was the first time we had played India in more than six years, and so it is important to experience their style of hockey with this new group. We can also learn from a team such as India, so the games were educational and also very high tempo for us,ÔÇØ said GOODHEART.
Source: FFH
