In a thrilling Pool B match at the Paris Olympics 2024, India’s men’s hockey team emerged victorious against New Zealand with a final score of 3-2. The game saw a dramatic finish as India captain Harmanpreet Singh scored in the dying minutes to secure the win for his team on Saturday.
The match began with New Zealand’s Sam Lane opening the scoring, but India’s Mandeep Singh quickly equalised. Vivek Sagar Prasad then put India ahead with a well-executed goal, only for New Zealand’s Simon Child to level the score again. With the clock winding down, Harmanpreet Singh’s decisive goal ensured India’s triumph.
Having returned to medal-winning form with a bronze at Tokyo 2020, the Indian team faces a challenging path to replicate or surpass that success in Paris. Grouped in Pool B alongside top-ranked teams such as Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and Ireland, all of whom are ranked in the top 11 globally, India will need to bring their A-game to advance in the tournament.
India fell behind 0-1 as early as the 8th minute. Craig Fulton’s team dominated possession and frequently penetrated the opposition’s circle, but they lacked decisiveness in front of the goal. Abhishek had a chance to give India an early lead, but New Zealand’s experienced goalkeeper Dominic Dixon was at his best, denying the opportunity. Gurjant Singh received a green card in the first quarter, further hampering India’s chances to equalize. The Black Sticks grew more confident as they controlled the flow of the game.