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Tokyo Olympics: India beat New Zealand 3-2 in hockey opener

Indian hockey players celebrate after scoring their third goal against New Zealand in the Men’s Pool A match on Day 1 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic on July 24, 2021. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

By: Shubham Ghosh

EIGHT-TIME hockey gold winners India were off to a flying start at the Tokyo Olympics as they beat New Zealand 3-2 by coming from behind in their opening game in Pool A of men’s hockey at the Oi Hockey Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday (24).

Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals for India while Rupinder Pal Singh scored the third and their efforts was backed by goalkeeper P R Sreejesh, who stood like a rock in the closing minutes to deny the Kiwis a chance to equalise.

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Harmanpreet’s goals came in the 26th and 33rd minutes after Rupinder helped India draw level in the 10th minute. Mandeep Singh drew attention for his energetic show upfront and the penalty corner he earned was utilised by Rupinder to score his goal.

Tokyo Olympics: India beat New Zealand 3-2 in hockey opener
New Zealand’s Sean Findlay (L) and India’s Lalit Kumar Upadhyay vie for the ball during their men’s Pool A hockey match of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games field hockey competition, at the Oi Hockey Stadium in Tokyo on July 24, 2021. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)

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For New Zealand, who are currently ranked eighth as against their fourth-ranked Asian opponents, Kane Russell gave an early lead by scoring from a penalty corner. Stephen Jenness scored New Zealand’s second goal in the 43rd minute to reduce the gap.

India will next play Australia, the world No.1 team, who beat hosts Japan 5-3 in their opening game at Tokyo. In the first match in Pool B, Belgium, who won the silver at the Rio Games in 2016, beat the Netherlands 3-1.

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