Paris 2024 Olympics hockey: Late Harmanpreet Singh penalty stroke helps India beat New Zealand 3-2 in opener
The Indian men’s hockey team began its Paris 2024 Olympics campaign with a 3-2 win against New Zealand in Pool B at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Saturday.
Mandeep Singh (24’), Vivek Sagar Prasad (34’) and Harmanpreet Singh (59’) scored the goals for India while Sam Lane (8’) and Simon Child (53’) got on the scoresheet for the Black Sticks.
India, ranked seventh in the world hockey rankings, began the match with purpose and almost took the lead five minutes in after Abhishek nicked possession at the edge of the New Zealand penalty circle, drove in and let one rip. It took a brilliant save from Black Sticks goalkeeper Dominic Dixon to keep the scoreline level.
However, it was world No. 10 New Zealand who drew first blood in the contest against the run of play. Eight minutes into the first quarter, a high stick from an Indian defender saw the referee award the first penalty corner of the match to the Black Sticks.
Sam Lane’s powerful drag flick, hard and low, had India’s veteran goalie PR Sreejesh rooted to the spot and rattled the board.
The goal changed the complexion of the game as New Zealand looked more assured on possession and managed to control the tempo. Manpreet Singh’s mazy run towards the end of the quarter created yet another goal-scoring opportunity for India but his driven cross across the goal didn’t find a finishing touch.
The second quarter got off to an edgy start as New Zealand skipper Nic Woods was sidelined for five minutes as the Black Sticks came out with an extra player on the pitch.
India sought to capitalise on the one-man advantage and almost did through Sukhjeet Singh but Dixon was there to spoil the party yet again. However, India did find a way through midway through the quarter after winning back-to-back penalty corners.
Dixon managed to keep Harmanpreet Singh out from the first and seemed to have done it again from the follow up. However, Mandeep Singh was at hand to sweep in the rebound the second time to bring up his 117th international goal. The half-time hooter sounded with the teams square at 1-1.
The third quarter got off to an emphatic fashion with Dixon and Sreejesh called on to make decisive saves at either end. India, however, managed to edge ahead after a goalmouth melee in the 34th minute.
After another superb save from Dixon, the ball fell in a crowd of sticks inside the New Zealand circle and it was Vivek Sagar Prasad who found the decisive nick to get the ball past the goalline.
The fourth quarter saw both teams throw caution to the wind with New Zealand going for the equaliser and India trying hard for an insurance goal. It made for some fantastic attacking hockey and some stunning saves from Sreejesh and Dixon, particularly the latter.
With seven minutes left on the clock, it was a well-worked indirect penalty corner routine which brought New Zealand back level. Veteran campaigner Simon Child produced a brilliant finish to beat Sreejesh and set up a scramble to the finish line.
Just as it seemed the match was headed for a draw, India won a penalty stroke after a New Zealand foot stopped a Harmapreet penalty corner from going in. The Indian skipper stepped up under pressure and converted what would be the winning goal in a thrilling match.
India will face Rio 2016 champions Argentina in their next Paris 2024 Olympics hockey match on Monday.