ssbet77 India 3-2 New Zealand, Paris Olympics: Harmanpreet's Late Strike Wins It For Hockey Team

India celebrate their second goal against New Zealand during their Pool B match at Paris Olympic Games 2024 on Saturday (July 27). Photo: AP India celebrate their second goal against New Zealand during their Pool B match at Paris Olympic Games 2024 on Saturday (July 27). Photo: AP

It was a much closer contest than they would have bargained for. But the Indian men's hockey team were up to the task in the crunch moments, as captain Harmanpreet Singh's 59th-minute penalty stroke handed them a nervy but crucial 3-2 win over New Zealand in Pool B of Paris Olympic Games 2024 on Saturday, July 27. (Highlights | Full Olympics Coverage | More Sports News)

The match swung like a pendulum from start to finish, with the Black Sticks drawing first blood via a penalty corner-conversion from Sam Lane in the eighth minute. The Indians bounced back to draw level in the 24th minute through Mandeep Singh, who scored from a rebound off a penalty corner.

They then took the lead through Vivek Sagar Prasad in the third quarter, with a contentious field goal that withstood a referral owing to lack of evidence to the contrary as the ball was deemed to have just crossed the goal line.

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BY Outlook Sports Desk

New Zealand, however, drew level in the 53rd minute through a penalty corner conversion from Simon Child. But skipper Harmanpreet ensured the win for India, scoring from a penalty stroke just over a minute from the hooter.

India will play Argentina in their next Pool B match on July 29ssbet77, followed by Ireland on July 30 and Belgium on August 1.