India registered a comfortable 3-0 win against New Zealand on Sunday to notch up their first win in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament. It was India’s first win against the Black Sticks since 2015.
It was New Zealand who set the pace in the first quarter and pegged India back in their own half with a series of well-worked attacks. They also earned a penalty corner, which was blocked superbly by PR Sreejesh. It went from bad to worse towards the end of the first quarter for India as Mandeep Singh was shown a green card. Fortunately for India, New Zealand could not find the back of the net.
The Indians looked a different team in the second quarter, and played some slick passes around New Zealand’s circle. The put the game to bed in a matter of minutes. In the 23rd minute, Mandeep Singh cashed in on a bounding ball, cleverly deflecting it into the net to put his side in the lead. Four minutes later, India doubled their lead from a penalty corner as Harmanpreet Singh’s powerful drag-flick gave goalkeeper Devon Manchester no chance.
New Zealand, under considerable pressure, gave away two more penalty corners. Harjeet Singh, though, faltered on both occasions and chances went begging.
The Indians continued to surge forward with purpose with Sardar Singh orchestrating attacks relentlessly from the middle of the park. In the fourth quarter, India earned their third goal through yet another neat penalty corner from Harmanpreet Singh.
There were as many as 11 shots that were fired at the New Zealand goal. India now top the pool with four points from two games but that could change later in the day. India play their next encounter against holders Australia on May 2.
The score
- India 3 (Harmanpreet Singh x 2, Mandeep Singh) beat New Zealand 0.
