The Indian men’s hockey team resumed their campaign on Day 2
in the Sultan of Johor Cup with a 4-2 win against New Zealand at
the Johor Hockey Stadium today.
The Blue Shirts have now amassed six points from two matches.
They defeated Great Britain 3-2 in the tournament’s opening
match on Saturday.
Coach PR Sreejesh side were at their offensive best against the
Kiwis. Priyobarta Talem was voted Man of the Match.
They went 3-0 up in the first half with goals from Arshdeep Singh
just two minutes into the match, Sunil Bennur converted a penalty
corner (15 th ) and Araijeet Hundal Singh, whose constant presence
in the attacking structure, linked up well to place the ball past
goalkeeper Matthew Ruetsch and into the net.
The Kiwis, who went down 4-0 against Australia just a day earlier,
were slow to start but enjoyed countless opportunities only to
squander multiple chances until Gus Nelson reduced the deficit to
3-1 with a field goal in the 41 st minute.
India got a fourth look at another chance to score following a
penalty corner in the 47 th minute and Rosan Kujur converted it to
push India to a 4-1 lead. Aiden Bax, however, scored from a field
goal in the 52 nd minute to close the gap at 4-2.
With seven minutes remaining to the end of regulation time the
Kiwis switched to power play when India was reduced to nine
players on the field when team captain Rohit and Priyobarta
received yellow cards in the 52 nd and 55 th minutes. But the Indians
did well to deny the Kiwis from extending their score.
India’s next match will be against arch-rivals Pakistan on Tuesday.
