Men's FIH Hockey World Cup 2023: India’s title hopes over after loss to New Zealand in crossovers

The Indian hockey team lost to New Zealand via penalty shootout in its crossover match of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

The match was tied at 3-3 after regulation time with Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (17’), Sukhjeet Singh (24') and Varun Kumar (40’) scoring for India while Sam Lane (28'), Russell Kane (43'), Findlay Sean (49') netted for New Zealand.

In a dramatic 18-shot penalty shootout, India lost 4-5. The loss brings an end to India’s hopes of finishing on the podium at a men’s hockey World Cup for the first time since 1975 - which was the only time India won the competition. The Indian hockey team made the quarter-finals at the last edition held in 2018.

With a quarter-final berth on the line, both teams began the match with high intensity. Just over 10 minutes in, the Black Sticks came close to taking the lead and it took a strong boot from PR Sreejesh to keep out a Simon Child drive from the left.

India, however, were arguably the better side in a goalless first quarter and created the bulk of the chances.

The second quarter saw the pace of the game go up a notch and both teams missed golden opportunities to score within the first couple of minutes. Kim Kingstone fluffed his lines from close range and immediately at the other end, Akashdeep Singh was closed down by Kiwi goalkeeper Dominic Dixon.

Akshdeep, however, turned provider soon after as India finally broke the deadlock after Lalit Kumar Upadhyay’s searing shot rocketed into the New Zealand goal.

Nilakanta Sharma seemed to have given India a 2-0 advantage minutes later after a goalmouth scramble following an India penalty corner. The celebrations were cut short as the goal was chalked off due to a foul during the build up.

Harmanpreet Singh and Co., however, didn’t have to wait long for their second goal. The India captain himself played a pivotal role in the setup as his powerful penalty corner was just about palmed away by Dixon only for Sukhjeet Singh to smash it in just like a tennis shot.

New Zealand rallied right back and made it 2-1 after Sam Lane’s goal two minutes before the half-time hooter sounded.

India restored their two-goal advantage in the third quarter after Varun Kumar converted a penalty corner to score his 29th career goal for India. The Black Sticks, though, cut India’s lead back to one.

With everything to play for in the final quarter, New Zealand finally drew level with Findlay Sean diverting in a penalty corner from close range. The equaliser sparked the match into life as both teams threw everything at each other in search of a late winner.

New Zealand could have hit India with a sucker punch right at the end but India goalie Krishan Bahadur Pathak ensured the match went into extra time by denying Sam Lane just before the regulation time ended.

In a dramatic penalty shootout, India seemed to be heading towards the exit after falling 3-2 behind but PR Sreejesh denied the Kiwis thrice in a row to turn the tables. The veteran keeper, though, sustained an injury during his last save and had to make way for Krishan Pathak for the subsequent shots.

India squandered a couple of chances to put the game to bed during sudden death and paid the price as they lost the 18-shot shootout 5-4.

The result means New Zealand will face reigning champions Belgium in the quarter-finals while India will be heading to Rourkela to face Japan in a classification match.

India vs New Zealand, FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 score and result

• Match: Crossover

• Score: India 3(4)-3(5) New Zealand (penalty shootout)

• Goal scorers: India - Lalit Kumar Upadhyay 17’, Sukhjeet Singh 24', Varun Kumar 40; New Zealand - Sam Lane 28', Russell Kane 43', Findlay Sean 49'

• Venue: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

• Player of the Match: Sean Findlay

• Qualified for quarter-finals: New Zealand