Paris Olympics 2024 IND vs NZ Hockey: The Indian hockey team made a great start in the Paris Olympics 2024. This match, which was very competitive and exciting, kept the heartbeats of all the Indian fans high till the end. India’s first match in the hockey event of Olympics 2024 was against New Zealand. India made its strength felt by defeating New Zealand. This match was sometimes going in favor of India and sometimes in favor of New Zealand, but in the last minutes of the fourth quarter, India managed to win the match 3-2 by scoring a goal.
New Zealand dominated in the first quarter
New Zealand dominated in the initial minutes. With the help of a penalty corner, Sam Lane scored a goal in the 8th minute to make the score 1-0. After this, New Zealand made continuous efforts, but the Indian defense thwarted their efforts.
India’s comeback in the second quarter
In the second quarter, India changed its strategy and played fast. As a result, India got a goal on a penalty corner in the 24th minute. However, New Zealand asked for a review from the referee, but they failed. After which India was able to equalize 1-1 with New Zealand till half time.
India took the lead in the third quarter
Immediately after half time, in the 34th minute, midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad scored from close range to give India the lead. New Zealand got five penalty corners in the third quarter, but Sreejesh stood like a wall and did not allow all five penalty corners of New Zealand to be converted into goals. After which India managed to take a 2-1 lead in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was exciting
Despite India’s strong defense in the fourth quarter, Sreejesh could not clear the rebound, due to which New Zealand equalized the score. It seemed that the match was heading towards a draw, but in the 59th minute, India got a penalty stroke on New Zealand’s foul. Captain Harmanpreet Singh took advantage of this opportunity and scored a goal and gave India a 3-2 win.
When is India’s next match?
India is now in third place in Pool B, while Belgium and Australia are in first and second place. India’s next match will be against Argentina on July 29. The top four teams of Pool B will reach the quarter-finals.
