The Indian men's hockey team overcame a goal deficit to beat Ireland 3-1 in the FIH Hockey Pro League on Friday. (Highlights | More Hockey News)
🧔 Harmanpreet Singh's side was stunned in the eighth minute when Jeremy Duncan scored from a field effort. But the Indians bounced back strongly, scoring a field goal through Mandeep Singh in the 22nd minute.
🍃 Jarmanpreet Singh (45th) and Sukhjeet Singh (58th) then scored a goal each from penalty corners to guide India to a convincing win.
🔯 India will now take on Ireland in the return-leg match here on Saturday.
ꦍ India are currently placed fifth in the standings with nine points from five games.
𝓡 The first quarter was an all-Irish affair as they made multiple circle entries and took the lead in the eighth minute when Duncan smashed the ball past Krishan Bahadur Pathak, making a swift foray from the right with no real threat from the defenders.
⭕ It was Matthew Nelson's assist that set up the fantastic opening goal. Ireland made a few more attempts at goal, including a penalty corner but couldn't increase the lead.
𓆏 India made efforts by launching a promising attack early in the second quarter. It began with Sukhjeet attempting a shot at goal after picking up the ball from inside the circle but, unfortunately, he ended up losing possession.
⛄ Ireland's defence was firm while their attack was well-structured, which drew rare appreciation from India chief coach Craig Fulton who said, "credit to Ireland for the first quarter".
𝕴 He was evidently not happy with how India started but Mandeep changed that in the second quarter when he scored a sensational goal in the 22nd minute.
ꦚ He picked up the ball from Abhishek, drove through the right flank and took aim with an ambitious, powerful shot. It was bang on target, finding the corner post.
🍷 India dramatically turned their fortunes around in the second quarter, launching lethal attacks and denting Ireland's defence.
🌃 The third quarter saw India work tirelessly to take the lead. The occasion finally arrived in the 45th minute when they were awarded a penalty corner.
𓂃 Harmanpreet's drag-flick was blocked by the Irish keeper but Jarmanpreet, who had just made a perfect injection, was quick to pick up the rebound and put it past the goalie to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
✃ The final 15 minutes were eventful with plenty of scoring opportunities. India won a penalty corner with a few minutes left on the clock, while under-pressure Ireland lost a man as Luke Witherow got a yellow card.
🌠 With just a little over a minute left for the final hooter, Sukhjeet scored the third goal for India, and this one was sublime. Instead of taking the drag-flick, Harmanpreet adopted a brilliant variation. He passed the ball to Rajinder, who took the shot with Sukhjeet only having to give the finishing touch.
