After losing the opening Test of the four-match series, the Indian men’s hockey team came back strongly to beat hosts New Zealand 3-1 at Nelson on Wednesday, thanks to goals by strikers Ramandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Nikkin Thimmaih.
Unlike the previous match, India lifted their tempo and displayed attacking hockey that helped them score three goals past the hosts to equalize the series at 1-1, with the last two games to be played at Christchurch
India went on the attack right from the start which helped build the initial pressure over the hosts. The opening minutes saw Chinglensana Singh attack from the right flank as he entered the striking circle, but the alert New Zealand defence thwarted the attempt to score. Keeping constant pressure, India earned a penalty corner in the 10th minute but unfortunately for the visiting team the ball was hit wide of the post.
The 13th minute saw Birendra Lakra play a cross ball to Ramandeep who opened the account for India off a rebound giving his team the lead. The goal proved to be the sole one scored in the session and the first quarter finished with India leading 1-0.
India continued their attacking game in the second quarter, displayed by Dharamvir Singh’s brilliant move that caught New Zealand defence napping but the final touch was blocked by an observant New Zealand goalkeeper. New Zealand then tried to capitalise on the counter attack but they could not break the strong defence of the Indians.
In the 23rd minute New Zealand were awarded a penalty corner and they saw their chance to equalise, but Sreejesh with his brilliant save denied the Black Sticks their opening goal. With no goals scored in the entire session, India held onto their slim 1-0 lead at half-time.
In the third quarter, spectators witnessed an exciting game of hockey from both the sides. An unmarked Gurjinder Singh had a great chance to double the lead in the 33rd minute but he deflected the ball wide of the post. New Zealand immediately counter-attacked and won a penalty corner in the 35th minute but Sreejesh stood tall and cleared the danger yet again, leaving the hosts frustrated.
New Zealand kept pressing and came back on level terms just before the quarter ended. Kane Russell scored the leveller in the 45th minute for New Zealand as another penalty corner to the hosts was converted brilliantly. That made it 1-1 with 15 minutes left to play.
Both the teams were aware that a goal from here will put their opponents under pressure, which saw New Zealand’s Simon Child penetrating the Indian circle from the left side, but an organized Indian defence held firm and did not allow them to take lead.
Team India intensified its attack on the Kiwis and the effort paid off in the 52nd minute when Manpreet Singh’s accurate pass to Lalit Upadhyay helped India regain their lead as the latter calmly put the ball inside the goal to make it 2-1. In the last minute of the match, moments away from the win, India made it 3-1 through Nikkin Thimmaiah
The third match of the Series will be played on October 9 in Christchurch.
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