India lose a dramatic match in opposition to New Zealand to crash out of Hockey World Cup

New Zealand held their nerves to edge India within the penalty shootout on the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday, because the hosts crashed out of the 2023 Hockey World Cup.

Despite being forward within the recreation, India missed the chance to construct on a 3-1 lead within the third quarter, when New Zealand scored twice within the remaining quarter to tie the sport on the finish of the common time, forcing a penalty shootout. 

In common time, India’s objectives got here from Lalit Upadhyay (17 minutes), Sukhjeet Singh (24 minutes), and Varun Kumar (40 minutes), whereas the Black Sticks’ objectives got here from Sam Lane (28 minutes), Kane Russell (43 minutes), and Sean Findlay (49 minutes).

India battled again to tie the rating at 3-3 within the shootout thanks to a couple excellent saves from seasoned goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, and had two possibilities within the sudden loss of life as Shamsher Singh missed the ultimate shootout try to lose 4-5 in entrance of the house crowd.

India began the essential match aggressively as they stormed into New Zealand’s circle within the first minute. The hosts misplaced possession however appeared decided to take the lead as they made one other penetration within the third minute by way of India quantity 11 Mandeep Singh, who made a wonderful run into the Kiwi circle.

New Zealand made their first assault within the sixth minute by way of an extended aerial cross however the hosts counterattacked shortly, coming perilously near scoring the primary objective, however the New Zealand defence stayed alert to avert any hazard.

Nic Woods was issued a inexperienced card within the eighth minute, forcing the Kiwi aspect to play with a 10-man crew for 2 minutes. Manpreet Singh too was issued a inexperienced card for carrying on to play even after the referee’s whistle to cease play.

The hosts face a objective risk within the eleventh minute however India’s resolute defence made certain the ball didn’t go previous them. India earned their first penalty nook PC) within the thirteenth minute with Harmanpreet sending the ball to the left of the goalkeeper however failing to search out the again of the web.

New Zealand survived one other scare within the dying minutes as the primary quarter ended goalless.

Thrilling motion ensued within the second quarter, with each groups creating possibilities within the preliminary minutes. India lastly made the breakthrough within the seventeenth minute of the sport with Shamsher sending the ball throughout to Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, who blasted the ball into the New Zealand goalpost to place the hosts forward.

India secured two consecutive PCs within the twenty second minute however didn’t convert them. However, India did rating a objective on the rebound however New Zealand used their referral for it to be denied by the third umpire.

The twenty third minute noticed India earn one other PC however but once more the hosts failed to attain as the prospect went begging. Sukhjeet Singh prolonged India’s result in two objectives within the twenty fourth minute, sending the rebound of Nixon into the goalpost.

New Zealand sprung into motion within the remaining minutes of the second quarter as Sam Lane discovered the again of the web within the twenty eighth minute to cut back India’s result in one objective.

No objective was scored within the second quarter as the primary half ended with India within the lead at 2-1.

The fortieth minute noticed India rating its third objective by way of Varun Kumar on a PC. However, Kane Russell scored within the forty third minute by way of a PC simply earlier than the tip of the third quarter to maintain New Zealand’s hopes alive. The third quarter ended with New Zealand trailing two objectives to 3.

New Zealand sprung into motion within the remaining quarter as they hovered across the Indian circle. Sean Findlay discovered the again of the web within the forty ninth minute to stage the rating and preserve their hope of reaching the ultimate eight alive.

The hosts stored preventing and captain Harmanpreet Singh had the chance to transform a PC and put the hosts within the lead however missed the chance to attain.

He tried a drag-flick, however his effort was lackluster and the defenders have been capable of cease the ball earlier than it might discover the again of the web. The remaining quarter ended with each groups tied at 3-3, with the outcome pushed to be determined by a penalty shootout.

Harmanpreet scored on the primary try to put India forward. Kane Russell took the Black Sticks’ first try and levelled the rating. Raj Kumar Pal scored for India whereas Findlay additionally discovered the objective to maintain the rating at 2-2.

Abhishek didn’t put the ball into the web whereas Hayden put New Zealand forward with an excellent objective on the third try with the hosts trailing 2-3. The fourth try noticed gamers from each groups failing to transform their possibilities with India trailing at 2-3.

In a dramatic flip of occasions, Shamsher scored for India whereas Sam Hiha missed levelling the rating on the finish of 5 makes an attempt.

The groups as soon as once more lined up for one more spherical of penalty shootouts with New Zealand taking the primary try.

Nic Woods missed to provide India the chance to steer however Harmanpreet couldn’t get previous the New Zealand goalkeeper, with the rating nonetheless stage at 3-3. Findlay lastly put the Black Sticks forward of their seventh try however Raj Kumar Pal scored to tie the rating at 4-4.

Hayden Phillips and Sukhjeet Singh each missed on the eighth try to make issues extra dramatic.

Lane scored the essential objective to place New Zealand forward at 5-4. All hopes held on Shamsher however he didn’t rally previous the goalkeeper as India crashed out of the Hockey World Cup on residence soil.

New Zealand will lock horns with defending champions Belgium on January 24 for a berth within the semifinals whereas India will face Japan on January 26 for the Ninth-Sixteenth place within the event. 

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