India clinched a thrilling 3-2 win over New Zealand to begin their second leg campaign on a positive note at the four-nation hockey tournament in Hamilton on Wednesday, January 24.
India began the game brightly and took an early lead in the 7th minute through Lalit Upadhyay.
Manpreet Singh found Vivek Sagar Prasad swiftly moving towards the top of the circle, and though Vivek’s reverse hit rebounded off the New Zealand keeper, Upadhyay ensured he picked up the ball to deflect it past Black Sticks goal keeper Devon Manchester fetching India a 1-0 lead.
The hosts came back strongly in the second half and took advantage of a defensive mix-up to equalise through Daniel Harris in the 23rd minute.
Harjeet Singh then converted India’s first penalty corner of the game in the 32nd minute to give India a 2-1 lead before Rupinder Pal Singh scored from another penalty corner four minutes later.
Just a minute after India took a 3-1 lead, Kane Russell scored for a penalty corner to reduce the visitors’ lead. However, India held up well for the rest of the game to seal a 3-2 win.
India will play against Belgium today and Japan on Saturday, January 27 at Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton.
India lost to Belgium in the final of Tauranga-leg 4-nation invitational hockey meet securing the second position followed by the Vantage Black Sticks in the 3rd place.