Tokyo 2020: Indian men's hockey team beat New Zealand in close encounter

India men’s hockey team beat New Zealand 3-2 in their opening match of Tokyo Olympics 2020. Led by captain and India’s flag bearer at Tokyo, Manpreet Singh, gave a good account of themselves in the Pool A match to earn three points. Although New Zealand got on the scoresheet first through Kane Russell, India was quick to respond. Rupinder Pal Singh equalized courtesy of a penalty stroke within 10 minutes. Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners to give India a 3-1 lead. Stephen Jenness made the score 2-3 for the Black Sticks.

The match started on a positive note for India in Tokyo Olympics 2020. They won the first penalty corner within three minutes. However, Rupinder’s shot hit the post and went out. Meanwhile, three minutes after the miss at the other end, New Zealand converted their first penalty corner. Russell’s shot went to the top right corner of India’s goal.

Within seven minutes of the goal, India equalized. Rupinder won a penalty stroke and the 30-year-old stepped up to calmly slot the ball in the net. After conceding the equalizer, Darren Smith’s side pressurized the Indian defense as they won four back-to-back penalty corners. However Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and the defenders stood firm to see off the pressure.

Few minutes into the second quarter, substitute Lalit picked up Manpreet with a precise long aerial pass. But, the captain’s lofted attempt was denied by the Kiwi goalkeeper.

Harmanpreet scores two goals to begin Tokyo 2020 campaign on a high

Harmanpreet, who is playing in his second Olympics, scored his first Olympic goal in the 26th minute. Gurjant’s superb control and good work down the left side earned a penalty corner for India. And then Shamsher’s injection was cleverly laid onto Harmanpreet’s path by Rupinder to give India the lead.

Three minutes into the second half, India extended their lead. Harmanpreet fired the ball past Hayward into the top corner of the goal from their fourth penalty corner of the match. After getting a two-goal cushion, India went a bit on the defensive mode. The Black Sticks pounced on the opportunity and scored their second goal in the 43rd minute. Nick Wilson easily got past Lakra to deliver a cross from the right side for Jenness to score. New Zealand tried hard for the equalizer. However, the Indians remained composed and held onto the three points.

Veteran goalkeeper Sreejesh, playing in his third Olympics, was once again exceptional as he successfully denied five out of six penalty corners. Sreejesh made some impressive reflex saves to hold onto the victory.

The match was a pretty open game as both sides looked out of shape, especially in the first half. In the second half, the Indians maintained their structure better and were clinical from penalty corners. India were very good with their long balls as they opened up the Kiwi defence with some good aerial passes.

India will next face World No.1 Australia on July 25. New Zealand will take on the defending champions Argentina.