India defeat New Zealand 31, take 20 lead in hockey test series

BENGALURU: The Indian men’s hockey team registered its second successive victory against New Zealand, beating the visitors 3-1 to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series here.

Rupinder Pal Singh (18th), SV Sunil (27th) and Mandeep Singh (56th) scored for India while Stephen Jenness pulled (24th) one back for New Zealand.

After a goalless first quarter, India opened scoring in the second quarter. They won three back-to-back PCS in the 18th minute and Rupinder was thirdtime lucky after two of his previous flicks were blocked by New Zealand’s first rusher.

India will play Ireland in their next Pool B match on July 26.

JR MEN’S TEAM HOLD NETHERLANDS 2-2

ANTWERP, BELGIUM: The Indian junior men’s hockey team overcame an early 0-2 setback to hold the Netherlands 2-2 in a hardfought encounter in U-23 Five Nations Tournament.

The Netherlands caught the Indian team’s defence off-guard early in the match with Marlon scoring the first goal in the first minute. The Dutch team’s early 1-0 lead before Jip Jansen scored in the 11th minute to make it 2-0 by the end of the first quarter.

India, however, clawed back in the second quarter. The defence also held strong.

The team’s first breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Mandeep Mor scored a splendid goal to narrow the difference to 1-2.

After a goalless third quarter, the Indian team pushed for goals in the final quarter and their efforts paved way for Mandeep to score another goal in the 48th minute.

Though India stretched the Dutch defence as they vied for a winner, the team could not convert and settled for a draw.