The Indian men’s hockey team made a triumphant start to their Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying campaign, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory over New Zealand at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Saturday.
The match was a tense affair right from the start, with New Zealand taking the lead in the eighth minute through Same Lane, who expertly converted a penalty corner past Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.
However, India fought back valiantly and managed to equalize in the second half when Mandeep Singh capitalized on a rebound after the initial penalty corner shot was saved. New Zealand attempted to overturn the goal through a referral, claiming that their goalkeeper Dominic Dixon had possession of the ball before Mandeep struck it. However, the referral was unsuccessful.
India continued to push forward and took the lead four minutes into the second half. Vivek Sagar Prasad showcased his skill by slotting the ball into the net from close range, giving India a crucial advantage. Once again, New Zealand challenged the goal through a referral, arguing that the ball was cleared before crossing the line. However, their efforts proved futile, and the goal stood.
As the clock ticked down, New Zealand pulled off a dramatic comeback. A missed clearance by Sreejesh allowed Simon Child to deflect the ball past the Indian goalkeeper, leveling the score. With time running out, the game seemed destined for a draw.
However, fate intervened in India’s favor. In the final minute of the match, India was awarded a penalty stroke, which Harmanpreet Singh calmly dispatched into the back of the net, securing a well-deserved 3-2 win. The victory was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination, setting the stage for their upcoming challenges in the Olympic qualifying tournament.
