India beat New Zealand 3-2 to open its men's hockey campaign with a win on the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Saturday (July 27) after the opening ceremony. The Indian team were one goal down but came back from behind to get points on the board.
The Black Sticks took early with Sam Lane finding the back of the net in the first quarter through a penalty corner. However, post that India did manage to bounce back. They first restored parity, thanks to a 24th minute goal from Mandeep Singh off a rebound from a penalty corner.
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India then took the lead with Vivek Sagar Prasad finding the back of the net in the third quarter. Just when it looked like an easy win for India in the final quarter, New Zealand found a way to get the equaliser in the 53rd minute with Simon Child scoring off a penalty corner.
In a dramatic finish to the match though, India captain Harmanpreet Singh was took a penalty stroke with less than two minutes remaining on the clock and scored to ensure a 3-2 win for India. India will play Argentina in their next Pool B fixture on Monday (July 29).
After a disappointing start, it was a good show for the 117-member Indian contingent on Day 1 of the Olympics with Manu Bhaker sealing a place in the Women's 10 m Air pistol shooting and wins in badminton, table tennis and hockey.