Hardik Singh celebrates with teammates after scoring a purpose against Spain in the course of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 in Rourkela Odisha on January 13, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI
It was by no means imagined 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 against Spain.
On paper, India is ranked larger. 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. One of these noticed India’s second penalty nook turning into purpose, native boy Amit Rohidas slotting in a rebound after Harmanpreet Singh’s shot was saved within the thirteenth minute. Exactly 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 led to India’s second purpose, deflected off Pau Cunill’s stick.
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ANI
Rock strong
In between, Akashdeep Singh proved he nonetheless had the abilities 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 a sensible sport and stored bettering because the match progressed. It was in direction of the top of the 2nd quarter that the Spaniards started getting their act collectively to try to change the script. It nearly labored within the second half.
They began closing down house, implementing turnovers, breaking the sphere into small pockets – like throughout coaching – to manage the sport. India nonetheless held the higher hand with the forwards consistently incomes penalty corners and nagging the opposition defence however Spain was managing to pry open an occasional hole.
Playing 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 as well proved Pathak’s rising confidence. It was not probably the most convincing of wins however against a slippery opponent like Spain, India’s efficiency was greater than sufficient.
Earlier, England too made a profitable begin to its campaign with a complete 5-0 win against neighbour Wales. England dominated all by way of and appeared set to run riot when Nicholas Park struck within the very first minute however the Welsh threw all the pieces 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.
