India emerged victors in a topsy-turvy encounter that saw New Zealand drawing first blood via Sam Lane, and the Indians responding via Mandeep Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad and captain Harmanpreet Singh. Catch the highlights of the IND vs NZ match at Paris Olympic Games 2024, right here
As India prepare to kick off their Paris Olympics campaign, they will also be mindful of the fact that this Olympics will be the final time they will see their legendary custodian PR Sreejesh in action. And they would dearly want to send him off with a priceless medal around his neck.
India have tricky opponents like Australia and Belgium in their group and need to win tonight, if they are to make their path to the next round somewhat easier.
Harmanpreet and Co will next face Argentina on July 29, followed by Ireland the next day. The top four teams from the pool advance to the quarter-finals.
The Indian national anthem rings out, and that familiar moment of pride and emotion resurfaces as the team and spectators go one in the quest for glory. The New Zealand anthem follows right after.
A typically swift start to the match as India are on the charge straight away. Captain Harmanpreet marshalling the troops from the defence as usual, with the soon-retiring PR Sreejesh in goal. Jarmanpreet Singh the reliable figure in the back and Abhishek, Sukhjeet and Manpreet in the forward line.
India have far more circle penetrations than New Zealand so far, and have also elicited a save from the Kiwi goalkeeper. But just as we say this, the Black Sticks have their first penalty corner. And Sam Lane scores! New Zealand draw first blood as Sreejesh and Co are stunned.
Gurjant Singh gets a green card and New Zealand quickly make use of the one-man advantage. They charge forward and create another chance inside the circle but the shot goes wide. Dangerous signs for India.
And the quarter ends with New Zealand in the lead. Surely not something the Indians or their fans had expected, though the Black Sticks' performance is not entirely surprising. India made a few probing runs towards the end of the quarter, though to no avail. They will need a lot more than that, and some clinicality in the circle to turn things around.
New Zealand receive a yellow card even before the second quarter begins, for having more than 11 players on the park. NZ skipper Nic Woods has to stay out for five minutes. Can India seize the advantage?
India finally earn their first penalty corner. Sanjay finds a New Zealand player’s foot inside the circle, which leads to an Indian PC. A bit of hold-up as Black Sticks goalie Dixon seems to be having equipment troubles.
India equalize! Harmanpreet's first drag-flick attempt is partly thwarted but there is a penalty corner re-award. This time, the ball finds the back of the net after a bit of a scrap near the goal-line. India on level terms, and it is goal number 117 for Mandeep Singh.
New Zealand have responded well to India's strike, keeping possession in the last few minutes before half-time. India eyeing another inroad, but the Black Sticks are compact and organized in defence thus far.
The second quarter ends with the score squared up at 1-1. No clear field goal opportunity in this quarter, which ends with Hugo Inglis getting a green card. India will look to capitalize on the other side.
The third quarter begins in pulsating fashion as India attack with a vengeance. But New Zealand goalkeeper Dixon is equal to the task, and pulls out superb back-to-back saves to thwart the Indians.
India in the lead! Another wave of aggression from Craig Fulton's wards leads to the ball landing up just outside the circle for Mandeep, who drills it back in for Vivek Sagar Prasad to send it in at the goalmouth.
But drama ensues as the Black Sticks review. A lengthy referral shows replay after replay with not enough evidence to decide whether the ball crossed the line. "No advice possible", says the third umpire and the goal stands. India are ahead.
India hold on, just about. Soon after scoring, Harmanpreet and Co are forced to defend as New Zealand earn their second penalty corner. It comes to nought but there is a re-award, and another one, and then another one. The fourth PC is saved beautifully by India custodian PR Sreejesh. Enthralling hockey from both teams.
Another penalty corner for New Zealand. A defensive error from India gives the Black Sticks another chance to equalize, but it does not amount to a goal as Sreejesh keeps it out once again. Less than a minute left in the third quarter now with India ahead.
India retain their lead, going into the fourth and final quarter. This has been a far closer contest than Harmanpreet's men would have hoped for. Can they hold on for a win?
A fantastic reaction save from NZ goalie Dixon thwarts Sukhjeet, right at the start of the fourth quarter. The Indian forward lets a shot rip from close range, but Dixon sticks out his right hand to keep the ball out. Both goalkeepers have been brilliant tonight.
New Zealand earn their seventh penalty corner but a mistake in injection leads to no drag-flick. Luckily for them, another inroad leads to PC number eight on the heels. A couple of more partial obstructions lead to two re-awards. And the Black Sticks score via Simon Child! The match is on level terms again, with less than eight minutes to go. Utterly dramatic proceedings.
Manpreet frantically calls for a referral, seeking a five-metre violation from the New Zealand defence. But the referral is lost, and India still seek a winner with four minutes on the clock.
India score! They garner a penalty corner with two minutes and 12 seconds remaining. Harmanpreet Singh with a trademark lethal drag-flick, and the ball hits Simon Child's foot on the goal-line. Another penalty corner results, and the goal-line deflection this time hands India a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet over the ball, and he sends it in past Dixon, low to the right. India lead again, this time perhaps in a decisive manner.
India win! They breathe a massive sigh of relief after a tense moment seconds ago, when New Zealand missed a major chance of a last-minute equalizer. In the end, Harmanpreet's penalty stroke is the winning goal for India, who begin their campaign with a nervy but crucial win.
Harmanpreet and Co will next meet the higher-ranked Argentina on July 29. They will then face Ireland on July 30, followed by another higher-ranked team in the form of Belgium on August 1. Their final Pool B match is against heavyweights Australia on August 2.