FIH Pro League: India beat Ireland. (X, Hockey India)
Gurjant saved the blushes for the house aspect as his highly effective shot from the highest of the placing circle within the sixtieth minute beat the Irish goalkeeper and provides the hosts the victory.
A lacklustre India survived a mighty scare however finally beat lower-ranked Ireland 1-0 by means of a Gurjant Singh strike within the remaining minute of their FIH Pro League match right here on Friday.
Ireland pissed off the Indians for many a part of the match with resolute defending however Gurjant saved the blushes for the house aspect as his highly effective shot from the highest of the placing circle within the sixtieth minute beat the Irish goalkeeper. India additionally failed to convert any of their six penalty corners. Ireland, who’re ranked eleventh as in opposition to fourth of India, obtained three PCs.
The Indians had a sloppy begin and lacked the identical degree of vitality which they confirmed in Thursday’s 10-goal thriller in opposition to Australia.
Ireland, alternatively, had extra ball possession and had been profitable in chopping off Indian balls inside their circle.
India had the primary actual probability within the type of a penalty nook however captain Harmanpreet Singh’s flick was saved within the goal-line by an alert Irish defender.
Ireland had their first probability within the eleventh minute however Matthew Nelson’s reverse hit was stored out by India goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
The Indians put up a a lot better present within the second quarter as they slowly and steadily obtained again into the competition, having fun with extra management of the ball.
India secured two extra penalty corners in a span of 5 minutes however on each events, Harmanpreet failed to get previous Ireland’s first rusher.
Sukhjeet Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal had two good probabilities within the remaining two minutes earlier than half-time however failed to break the ice.
While Sukhjeet’s effort went huge, Hundal’s reverse hit from prime of the circle was saved by rival goalie Jamie Carr as India failed to break a resolute Ireland defence within the first two quarters that witnessed strategic hockey from each side.
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India’s battle continued after the change of ends as they failed to breach the Irish defence regardless of making quite a few circle penetrations.
It appeared just like the impasse was lastly damaged when Akashdeep discovered the again of the web from Abhishek’s cross however the objective was overturned after Ireland requested for overview for an infringement on goalie Carr.
The Indians had extra ball possession within the third quarter and secured one other penalty nook however Amit Rohidas’s strive was saved by Carr.
India subsequent play Spain in Rourkela on February 19.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
