Harmanpreet's Dramatic Last Minute Goal Hands India 3-2 Win In Opening Paris Olympics Match vs NZ

The Indian Men's Hockey Team have made a winning start to their Paris Olympics campaign as they prevailed over New Zealand and won 3-2 in a thrilling albeit controversial Group B encounter. 

India won in thrilling fashion an extremely late winner in the 59th minute by Harmanpreet Singh through a Penalty Stroke sealed a win for India. However, for New Zealand the game was filled with frustrations and anger as they believe they were on the wrong end of two crucial decisions in the game. 

A Sluggish First Half

The first half between India and New Zealand was a sluggish affair as both teams were sloppy in possession and couldn’t quite get into their rhythm. Both teams showed flashes of good possession but then mistakes took over.

However, it all started in calamity for India as they failed to mark well during a penalty corner and New Zealand took the lead midway through the first quarter courtesy Sam Lane. The goal had rocked India a bit as they were sloppy in possession and New Zealand looked comfortable.

Also Read | India Seals First Shot At Paris Olympic Medal

India's Controversial Goal

In the second quarter as well India looked uninspiring as all their attacks were predictable and the New Zealand defence was pretty comfortable. However, India kept on pressing the issue and scored through Mandeep Singh in a penalty corner in the second quarter as both teams went back level at half time.

In the second half, India started the game brightly and soon had the chance to take a lead only to be denied via some fantastic goalkeeping by the Kiwi goalie. However, India would quickly on to take the lead in the 34th minute through a controversial goal from Sumit.

Also Read | India At Olympics On Day 1 LIVE

Sumit had scrambled the ball over the line to hand India the advantage. But New Zealand players were adamant that the ball hadn’t crossed the line. Upon referral it looked like the ball hadn’t gone over the line into the net but there was no concrete evidence to suggest so hence the referee stuck with the on field decision and the goal stood. The Kiwis were understandably left fuming with the decision. 

India thought that goal would be enough to see them through but New Zealand’s Simon Child in the 52nd minute scored via another penalty corner to cancel out the controversial Sumit goal and pull the game back on level at 2-2. 

It looked like India might not have the energy to push on for the winner, but they kept attacking and got rewarded in the final as they were awarded a Penalty Stroke. Harmanpreet Singh stepped up and converted the stroke as India emerged victorious in their opening encounter.