Paris 2024 Olympics hockey: Harmanpreet Singh’s brace helps India blank Ireland 2-0
The Indian men’s hockey team continued its unbeaten run with a 2-0 win over Ireland in their third Pool B match at the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Tuesday.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh (11’, 19’) grabbed a brace with two first-half goals. The 28-year-old has scored four goals at Paris 2024 so far and has got on the scoresheet in each of India’s three matches.
With two wins and a draw, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics bronze medallists remain unbeaten and currently lead Pool B with seven points.
They had earlier secured a late 3-2 win over New Zealand in their Paris 2024 campaign opener before clinching a late 1-1 draw with Argentina on Monday.
India, fifth in the world hockey rankings, took little time to assert their dominance. The eight-time Olympic champions got the match’s first penalty corner within two minutes while Sumit drew a strong save off Irish goalie David Harte shortly after.
India took the lead of the contest through Harmanpreet, who broke the deadlock with a penalty stroke.
The second quarter got underway with Lalit Upadhyay missing a great chance while Manpreet Singh’s shot found the goalkeeper’s gloves.
India were all over Ireland during this period and after two consecutive penalty corners, the Indian hockey captain converted the third one with a spectacular drag flick to double his side’s lead. It was Harmanpreet’s fourth goal in three matches.
John McKee created the Ireland hockey team’s first solid chance of the game in the 21st minute but it went begging as India entered the half-time break with a 2-0 lead.
The third quarter is when Ireland, ranked 11th in the world, came out of their shells. After stopping Amit Rohidas and Harmanpreet from the penalty corner, Ireland carved out chances but Benjamin Walker, Lee Cole and Shane O’Donoghue couldn’t cut down the deficit.
Buoyed by the positive momentum, Ireland also began the final quarter on a strong note. Cole had a penalty corner saved just two minutes in but Ireland lost some momentum after Matthew Nelson saw a green card just 10 minutes before the final hooter. India also had Harmanpreet out for two minutes during this period.
Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh drew a loud response from the crowd after saving Nelson’s attempt at the 55th-minute mark.
Ireland had one last opportunity from a penalty corner just before the final hooter but the Indian defence held on to secure their second win at Paris 2024.
India will take on Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Belgium in their penultimate group stage match at the Paris 2024 Olympics hockey tournament on Thursday.