Hardik Singh celebrates with teammates after scoring a objective towards Spain throughout the FIH Odisha Hockey Males’s World Cup 2023 in Rourkela Odisha on January 13, 2023.
| Picture Credit score: PTI
It was by no means purported to be simple. And India’s opening sport within the Hockey World Cup 2023 lived as much as its billing, creating moments of exhilaration and despair in equal measure in entrance of the cheering 20,000-plus crowd on the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium right here on Friday earlier than prevailing 2-0 towards Spain.
On paper, India is ranked increased. And for greater than 45 minutes of the match, the host performed like one. There was full dominance, whole possession, relentless assault and a number of circle penetrations to maintain Spain on the backfoot. A type of noticed India’s second penalty nook turning into objective, native boy Amit Rohidas slotting in a rebound after Harmanpreet Singh’s shot was saved within the thirteenth minute. Precisely 13 minutes later, Hardik Singh’s ball seize from the half line and a solo run previous 4 defenders all the best way to the backline resulted in India’s second objective, deflected off Pau Cunill’s stick.
Rock stable
In between, Akashdeep Singh proved he nonetheless had the talents to steal balls with ease upfront and the Indian defence appeared unbreakable, hardly permitting Spain into the circle within the first 25 minutes. Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak had an excellent sport and stored bettering because the match progressed. It was in the direction of the top of the 2nd quarter that the Spaniards started getting their act collectively to attempt to change the script. It virtually labored within the second half.
They began closing down area, implementing turnovers, breaking the sphere into small pockets – like throughout coaching – to regulate the sport. India nonetheless held the higher hand with the forwards always incomes penalty corners and nagging the opposition defence however Spain was managing to pry open an occasional hole.
Enjoying with 10 males for the final 12 minutes was the hardest interval for India after Abhishek was despatched off for an iffy deal with. Three back-to-back saves in open play and a penalty nook besides proved Pathak’s rising confidence. It was not essentially the most convincing of wins however towards a slippery opponent like Spain, India’s efficiency was greater than sufficient.
Earlier, England too made a successful begin to its marketing campaign with a complete 5-0 win towards neighbour Wales. England dominated all by means of and appeared set to run riot when Nicholas Park struck within the very first minute however the Welsh threw every part of their defence, barely managing to enter England circle.
The outcomes: Pool D: England 5 (Liam Ansell 2, Nicholas Park, Phil Roper, Nicholas Bandurak) bt Wales 0; India 2 (Amit Rohidas, Hardik Singh) bt Spain 0.
