Tokyo Olympics: Harmanpreet Singh’s brace gave India a victory over New Zealand in their hockey opener

India commenced their Tokyo Olympics mission with a 3-2 triumph over New Zealand in their opening men’s hockey Group A fixture on Day 2. Vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh with a brace to propel his side dominate and have a winning start. Australia to face next, tomorrow.

India started their journey at the Tokyo Games with a success in a men’s hockey Group A match against New Zealand as they beat them 3-2 in their opener at the 32nd Olympics Day 2.

Vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh with a brace to propel his side a winning entrance to face Australia next tomorrow. Pal Singh and some crucial saves from PR Sreejesh at the verge of the first quarter comforted their side to conserve the spot.

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All the goals that Indians scored succeeded from the penalty corner. New Zealand began with a lead at the sixth minute with Kane Russell’s penalty goal but Rupinder Singh, with the help of a penalty corner, scored an equaliser in the first quarter. New Zealand with four successive PCs but India survived and defended all of them. 

India came with a promising control in the second quarter but a comparable beginning. Harmanpreet Singh motivated his side with a lead from the penalty corner in the 26th minute followed by the third goal for India by him again as he scored a brace at the start of the third quarter and made 3-1 for his side. The dominance didn’t last long after Stephen Jennes with a questionable goal as it was not apparent who got the final touch from Nick Wilson’s excellent pass to cut the opponent Indian’s dominance with one goal down at minute 43′ but was not enough to overcome the competitors.

New Zealand had a penalty corner at the end of the final quarter with 24 seconds left for the final call but they failed to equalise with Sreejesh’s stunning save and the game ended in favour of Indian head coach Graham Reid’s team.