Goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh showcased nerves of metal, making three essential saves because the India outwitted New Zealand 3-2 in an exciting shootout to safe the bronze medal on the Sultan of Johor Cup junior males’s hockey match right here on Saturday. After the match resulted in a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time, strikers Gurjot Singh, Manmeet Singh, and Sourabh Anand Kushwaha transformed their penalties within the tense shootout, whereas Bikramjit made three excellent saves to safe victory in opposition to New Zealand.
Earlier in regulation time, Dilraj Singh (11′) and Manmeet Singh (20′) had given India a roaring begin however New Zealand thawed India’s plans within the closing quarter with targets by Owen Brown (51′) and Jonty Elmes (57′).
India acquired off the blocks with tactful and compact assault. Swift, quick passes and skillful dribbling helped them discover success as early as within the eleventh minute when Dilraj scored from an help made by Mukesh Toppo to place India forward 1-0.
India managed the sport within the second quarter too. Their defence was on level and stalled New Zealand forwards from creating scoring alternatives.
Nonetheless, a defensive error within the nineteenth minute noticed India concede a PC. However the defence line did nicely to dam back-to-back PCs.
Within the following minute, an excellent show of stickwork and mixture between Manmeet, Anmol Ekka and Mukesh noticed them rating stupendous area purpose.
The two-0 lead within the twentieth minute put India in good stead. Driving on a superb begin, India created a flurry of probabilities earlier than the second hooter however they may not lengthen the lead.
Whereas the third quarter was goalless, New Zealand bounced again within the fourth quarter scoring two essential targets that put India’s hopes of profitable the bronze in a limbo.
Within the 51st minute, Bradley Rothwell assisted Owen Brown from the precise flank with a robust cross go that was completely tapped into the online by Brown.
Urgent ahead, trying to find an equaliser, New Zealand discovered success within the 57th minute when Jonty Elmes, who scored a hat-trick in opposition to India of their earlier recreation, struck a area purpose to take the match to the shootout. PTI ATK APA APA
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