Pakistan to participate in 2018 Hockey World Cup in Odisha
February 15, 2018 14:35 ISTPakistan, who are former champions were the 13th nation to qualify for the International hockey federation (FIH) event after favourable results.
Pakistan, who are former champions were the 13th nation to qualify for the International hockey federation (FIH) event after favourable results.
After having ended 2017 by winning the bronze medal in the World League Final in Bhubaneswar, the Indian hockey team began preparations for the upcoming assignments including Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Commonwealth Games this year.
For India, Ramandeep Singh (29, 53), Nilakanta Sharma (42) and Mandeep Singh (49) were the goal scorers before the shootout.
India will next play world no.3 Belgium, who beat hosts New Zealand 4-0, in the summit clash tomorrow.
Sjoerd Marijne-coached India began the match with disciplined structure, playing two-touch hockey to rotate the ball swiftly and accurately to pave their way into Belgium's striking circle.
Lalit Upadhyay (7th minute), Harjeet Singh (32nd) and Rupinder Pal Singh (36th) scored for India while New Zealand's goals came from sticks of Daniel Harris (23rd) and Kane Russell (37th).
Tom Boon (4th minute) and Sebastien Dockier (36th) found the target for Belgium while Mandeep Singh (19th) was India's lone goal scorer.
India's mantra today was to play aggressive and that's exactly what they did right from the start.
Both teams played out an exciting first quarter, though it was Belgium who constantly tested the Indian defence, moving the ball swiftly while creating plenty of opportunities in the striking circle.
With a young team that features four debutants, Manpreet stressed on the importance of this tournament.
The players have lamented that they have not been provided with blankets, adequate food or proper toilet facilities.
The program is commonly used by top-level football and basketball teams but it has been used for the first time in Indian hockey.
Over the last decade, Shaikh has umpired at major events such as Commonwealth Games, Asian Games as well as the 2014 Men's World Cup in Hague, The Netherlands and was also called up as an umpire during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The 59-year old Batra's election to the top post was a mere formality after Asian Tennis Federation President Anil Khanna withdrew from the race last week.
The men's team were at the sixth spot at the beginning of the year and maintained it throughout the year.
Singh's various ups and downs on the personal and professional fronts will be seen on-screen in his upcoming biopic 'Soorma', which will be played by Diljit Dosanjh.
It was a fitting end to the eight-nation tournament which witnessed a keen battle between worlds best two teams.
The coach, however, felt there were many lessons to learn from the tournament for the Indians.
India secured three back-to-back penalty corners in a span of two minutes - the last of which was converted by Harmanpreet with a powerful, low grounded flick to take the important lead that decided the outcome of the match.
After having lost 0-2 to Germany in the pool stages of the tournament, the Indians would be hoping to avenge the defeat.
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