Four-Nations Invitational Hockey: India prove too hot for New Zealand
Indian Hockey Team is making the nation proud yet again, as the men in blue beat hosts, New Zealand 3-1 in the third match of the Four Nations Invitational Hockey tournament. With this win, India reached the final of the tournament. World number six, India will now face Olympic silver medalist Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday.
India thrash New Zealand 3-1 to reach final
India took the lead in the second minute, after Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner. Dilpreet Singh made it 2-0 with brilliant stroke, 21 minutes from the whistle. New Zealand struck one back through Kane Russell in the 45th minute, but their hopes of a comeback were laid to rest when Mandeep Singh found the back of the net in the 47th minute.
India hammer Japan 6-0 in the opener
India began the tournament in an impressive fashion on Wednesday. The Hockey World League bronze medalists, India hammered Japan 6-0, sending a clear warning to their opponents. Debutants, Dilpreet Singh and Vivek Prasad scored two goals each and Rupinder Singh and Harmanpreet Singh completed the rout. Team India was so clinical that Japan had only one shot at the goal.
India go down to Belgium in second game
India faced a stern test when they stepped onto the field against Belgium in the second game. Despite putting up a stern fight, India went down 0-2 against the Belgians with Arthur De Sloover and Victor Wegnez finding the back of PR Sreejesh's net in the 8th and 34th minute. India's inability to convert any of the 5 penalty corners cost them the match.
Can India upset favourites Belgium in the final?
With world number 3 Belgium again awaiting India in the summit clash, India will be hoping to avenge the earlier loss and the trophy will be an added motivation to do so. The Olympic silver medalist Belgium sealed their berth with a 4-1 hammering of Japan. Consistency has been India's problem for a while now, can they overcome their demons this Sunday?
