Bhubaneswar, February 16 (IANS): Gurjant Singh’s late goal helped India end their FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 match against Bhubaneswar with a narrow 1-0 win over Ireland at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Friday. The only scorer in the match was Gurjant Singh (60 minutes). India started the match with a lead and stepped up their attack with systematic attacks. They earned their first penalty corner of the game in the third minute, but Harmanpreet’s drag flick was saved by an Irish defender near the post.
Ireland gradually regained their composure and had more possession in the first quarter. However, the Indian defense could not create much danger as they kept the goal away. The first chance came in the 11th minute, but Matthew Nelson’s shot went wide of the goal post.
India, on the other hand, continued to lose the ball in midfield and were unable to create space within the Irish half, getting off to a dominant start and ending the first quarter 0-0. The second quarter started quietly, with both teams exploring each other’s defenses but unable to find a breakthrough. India had more possession for most of the second quarter.
They created scoring chances and won two penalty corners in the 20th and 24th minutes respectively, but the disciplined Irish defense did not allow them to score and the first half ended in a 0-0 deadlock.
The third quarter reflected a familiar story, with India dominating possession but unable to create space in Ireland’s half. They almost broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, but Mandeep fouled the Ireland goalkeeper and Akashdeep’s goal was overturned. However, they continued with the same intent and created various scoring opportunities, but the Irish defense outmaneuvered the mark and kept the scoreline at 0-0 at the end of the third quarter.
India showed urgency at the start of the final quarter and quickly earned a penalty corner, but Harmanpreet’s drag flick was denied by the Irish goalkeeper. They earned another penalty corner in the 51st minute, but were unable to take advantage of the opportunity. The next minute, Ravichandran Moiransem made a stick tackle just outside the circle, giving Ireland their first penalty corner of the game.
Their first attempt found the feet of the Indians’ first rusher and was awarded a penalty corner. They came very close to scoring, but Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a brilliant save from the goalmouth to deny Ireland the lead. India continued to put pressure on the Irish defense and their efforts paid off in the 60th minute, when the hosts finally broke the deadlock with a Gurjant field goal.
Hardik Singh was successful in playing the ball inside the crowded Ireland circle, which was well taken by Gurjanth and he slotted the ball through the Irish goalkeeper’s legs and into the net, giving India a 1-0 win. . The Indian men’s hockey team will now travel to Rourkela for the return match of the FIH Hockey Pro League. India will face Spain in the first match against Rourkela on Monday.