India Secures Thrilling 3-2 Victory Over New Zealand at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
In a gripping match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Stadium in Ipoh, the Indian men’s hockey team triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-2. Amit Rohidas kicked off the scoring early in the fourth minute with a powerful drag-flick. Sanjay and Selvam Karthi also scored for India, contributing to a hard-fought win.
New Zealand started strong, aiming for an early goal, but India’s defense held firm. As the game progressed, India’s strategy became clear. After Rohidas scored, the Indian team kept pushing forward, creating numerous scoring opportunities.
In the second quarter, New Zealand made a concerted effort to equalize, even getting a penalty corner; however, India’s defense stood tall, maintaining a slim lead at halftime.
The second half saw India extend their lead when Captain Sanjay scored from another penalty corner just before the New Zealand team could regroup. Despite their best efforts, New Zealand struggled to penetrate the solid Indian defense until George Baker netted a goal in the 42nd minute.
The final quarter turned into an edge-of-your-seat affair. Baker struck again shortly after, leveling the match at 2-2. However, India fought back swiftly. Selvam Karthi’s well-placed shot after a precise pass from Abhishek put India back in the lead just minutes later.
Interestingly, this match is part of a larger trend observed in international hockey, where teams are increasingly scoring goals from set pieces. According to a recent study, penalty corners now account for about 40% of goals in major tournaments. This emphasizes the need for teams to develop robust defense strategies against penalty situations.
Looking ahead, India will face Canada on November 29. The excitement of this recent match underlines the dynamic nature of hockey and keeps fans eagerly anticipating the next game.
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INDIAN MEN HOCKEY TEAM, AZLAN SHAH CUP HOCKEY, INDIA VERSUS NEW ZEALAND, INDIA CONQUER NEW ZEALAND 3-2 IN SULTAN AZLAN SHAH CUP'
