Goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh showcased nerves of metal, making three essential saves because the India outwitted New Zealand 3-2 in an exhilarating shootout to safe the bronze medal on the Sultan of Johor Cup junior males’s hockey event 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 ultimate quarter with objectives by Owen Brown (51′) and Jonty Elmes (57′).
India acquired off the blocks with tactful and compact assault. Swift, brief 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 properly to dam back-to-back PCs.
Within the following minute, a superb show of stickwork and mixture between Manmeet, Anmol Ekka and Mukesh noticed them rating stupendous area objective.
The two-0 lead within the twentieth minute put India in good stead. Driving on a very good begin, India created a flurry of probabilities earlier than the second hooter however they might not lengthen the lead.
Whereas the third quarter was goalless, New Zealand bounced again within the fourth quarter scoring two essential objectives that put India’s hopes of profitable the bronze in a limbo.
Within the 51st minute, Bradley Rothwell assisted Owen Brown from the appropriate flank with a powerful cross cross that was completely tapped into the web 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 objective to take the match to the shootout. PTI ATK APA APA
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