Indian hockey team secures thrilling 3-2 win over New Zealand at Paris 2024 Olympics
Paris/Patiala, 28 July (Sports Desk)
Indian men’s hockey team made a splendid start to their campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics, defeating New Zealand 3-2 in their first Pool B match on Saturday. The match was played at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.
Mandeep Singh (24th minute), Vivek Prasad Sagar (34th minute), and Harmanpreet Singh (59th minute) scored for India, while Sam Lane (8th minute) and Child Simon (53rd minute) scored for New Zealand.
Harmanpreet Singh and his team started the first quarter with a brilliant game and soon India, ranked seventh in the world hockey rankings, created their first opportunity, but the New Zealand goalkeeper saved it.
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New Zealand, ranked 10th, then earned a penalty corner and in the 8th minute, Sam Lane opened the scoring for his team, making it 1-0.
In the second quarter, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Indian team, determined to equalize, managed to break down the New Zealand defense. In the 24th minute of the game, Mandeep Singh converted a penalty corner for India, making the score 1-1. Both teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the first half.
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In the third quarter of the match, the Indian team played aggressively and in the 34th minute, Vivek Prasad Sagar converted a penalty corner to give India a 2-1 lead. New Zealand tried to equalize the score, but veteran Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh foiled their attempt.
In the final and last quarter of the match, both teams adopted an aggressive approach and gave each other a tough fight. India got a chance to score in the 47th minute but failed.
New Zealand earned consecutive penalty corners and in the 53rd minute, Child Simon converted a penalty corner to equalize the score. In the dying minutes of the match, India scored through a penalty stroke by midfielder Harmanpreet Singh to make the score 3-2 and secure the victory.
India will next face Rio 2016 champions Argentina in their next Paris 2024 Olympic hockey match on Monday.
