India's Abhishek (5) with Lalit Upadhyay and New Zealand's players vie for the ball during the Pool B hockey match between India and New Zealand, at the Summer Olympics 2024, in Paris.
It took a lot of grit and clutch play, but the Indian men's hockey team eventually won its opening Pool B match 3-2 against New Zealand at Paris Olympic Games 2024 on Saturday (July 27). The Black Sticks took the lead first via Sam Lane, but the Indians drew level through Mandeep Singh, and then went into the lead via Vivek Sagar Prasad. Simon Child put his team back on level terms in the 53rd minute, but India captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 59th minute to clinch a last-gasp victory for Craig Fulton's side.
India's Abhishek (5) with Lalit Upadhyay and New Zealand's players vie for the ball during the Pool B hockey match between India and New Zealand, at the Summer Olympics 2024, in Paris.
India's captain Harmanpreet Singh, right, scores his side's third goal on a penalty stroke during the men's Group B hockey match between India and New Zealand at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Colombes, France.
India's Vivek Sagar Prasad celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the men's Group B hockey match between India and New Zealand at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Colombes, France.
New Zealand's goalkeeper Dominic Dixon, right, reacts as India's Mandeep Singh, left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the men's Group B hockey match between India and New Zealand at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Colombes, France.
New Zealand's Simon Child, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the men's Group B hockey match between India and New Zealand at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Colombes, France.
New Zealand players block India's Rajkumar Pal, right, during the men's Group B hockey match between India and New Zealand at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Colombes, France.
New Zealand's Lane Sam, right, hits the ball to score the opening goal during the men's Group B hockey match between India and New Zealand at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Colombes, France.
New Zealand's Lane Sam, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the men's Group B hockey match between India and New Zealand at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Colombes, France.