22-Jan-2023 0
Host and Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist India were knocked out of the 15th Mens Hockey World Cup as they suffered a heart-breaking defeat via sudden-death shootout in their crossover match against lower-ranked New Zealand at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today.
After the regulation time ended in 3-3 draw, World Rank 12 New Zealand beat World Rank 6 India 5-4 in dramatic shoot out to book a berth in the quarterfinals. New Zealand mid-fielder Sean Findlay scored three goals, including two in shootout to be awarded as the Player of the Match.
India were themselves to blame for the defeat as they failed to defend a 2-0 lead in the regulation time with Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Sukhjeet Singh scored in the 17th and 24th minutes respectively. Though Sam Lane pulled one back for the Black Sticks in the 28th minute, India regained the two-goal lead with Varun Kumar converting a penaly corner in the 40th minute.
But defensive lapses in the third and last quarters cost India dear as Kane Russel (43rd) and Sean Findlay (49th) scored a goal each within six minutes to enable New Zealand take the high-octane match to the shootout.
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