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The Indian males’s hockey group expectedly beat Eire regardless of a number of protection lapses to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, with skipper Harmanpreet Singh scoring a brace in a 2-0 win in a Pool B match, right here Tuesday. Not like the earlier two matches, India penetrated the rival circle persistently and dictated play within the first half. It was anticipated, contemplating that Eire have been the simplest of the opponents on this pool. India have been, nonetheless, removed from convincing within the second half, however the win has taken them to seven factors from three matches whereas the defeat has ousted Eire from the quarterfinal race.
Belgium and Australia, each unbeaten, have six factors every they usually play towards one another later within the day.
India had nearly managed to edge New Zealand 3-2 earlier than holding Argentina to a 1-1 draw of their earlier two outings.
The highest 4 groups from every of the 2 swimming pools qualify for the quarterfinals.
Argentina and New Zealand are combating for the fourth spot within the Pool B.
However after the Black Sticks’ 0-2 loss to Argentina, New Zealand are caught on 4 factors and neither them or Eire can overtake India on factors.
Because of this India have certified for the quarterfinals.
Harmanpreet (thirteenth and nineteenth min) struck as soon as every within the first two quarters, whereas the second half remained goal-less regardless of each groups incomes loads of penalty corners. Eire have been profligate, squandering 10 possibilities.
“We should always not have conceded that many PCs within the second half. We now have to work on that. However on the similar time, we didn’t concede a objective and that tells our PC defence. However sure, we will not afford so many PCs,” defender Jarmanpreet Singh advised PTI.
Sukhjeet stated the group struggled to manage the ball within the latter half.
“We couldn’t management the ball within the third quarter they usually made full use of that. They’re a superb group, we anticipated a comeback. But, we did higher within the closing quarter,” he stated. India earned their first penalty nook as early because the second minute of the match when Abhishek made a transfer from the left and handed the ball to Sukhjeet Singh.
Nonetheless, the Harmanpreet strike was blocked by an Eire on-rusher. Even on rebound, there was an opportunity, however Mandeep Singh misplaced possession.
Harmanpreet created one other likelihood by passing the ball to Sumit on the left flank however his reverse strike hit the submit.
India didn’t have to attend lengthy for his or her first objective. It got here from a penalty stroke awarded to India within the thirteenth minute of the match. Gurjant intercepted the ball in between two Irish gamers and despatched it in the direction of Mandeep Singh.
A deal with by Shane O’Donoghue in entrance of the goalpost resulted within the umpire awarding a penalty stroke, which was transformed by Harmanpreet.
The India captain doubled his aspect’s lead by changing the fourth penalty nook within the second quarter. This was after Eire defenders blocked two consecutive makes an attempt.
Clearly, India have been dictating the play on the pitch however for the reason that group stayed aggressive all through, many balls weren’t cleared correctly.
Eire acquired their first penalty nook of the match on a debatable name by the umpire. A ball from Kyle Marshall touched Manpreet’s physique however he was standing exterior the hanging circle. The Indians, who didn’t have a referral left, protested however the PC remained.
India custodian PR Sreejesh blocked the shot to maintain India’s 2-0 lead intact. Eire performed significantly better within the third quarter, incomes as many as eight penalty corners however transformed none. There have been a number of defensive lapses from the Indian aspect however they escaped with none harm.
A greater opponent may have punished India for the errors.
Eire earned two extra penalty corners within the closing quarter however they lacked ending. PTI AT PDS APA KHS
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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