By Prabhjot Singh | Canada |
India marked Independence Day with a winning start to their FIH Hockey World Cup campaign, defeating Wales 3-1 at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.
All three Indian goals came from penalty corners, with captain Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice and defender Sanjay adding another. Wales pulled one back late through a field goal.
India began aggressively and took control in the opening quarter. After Harmanpreet’s first drag flick failed to find the target, Sanjay converted the next penalty corner to put India ahead. Harmanpreet then extended the advantage as India went into the break firmly in command.
The Indian side continued to dominate possession and created several opportunities, although the forwards were unable to produce a field goal. Debutant Rajinder Singh and Jarman both came close, while Harmanpreet also missed an earlier penalty-corner attempt.
India’s pressure eventually produced a third goal in the third quarter, with Harmanpreet firing home a powerful grounder from another penalty corner to make it 3-0.
Wales had to wait until the closing stages for its first penalty corner. Indian goalkeeper Karketta produced a fine save from James Tyson, but Wales eventually scored following a goalmouth scramble. The umpire initially awarded a penalty stroke before a video review ruled that Sam Walsh’s effort had already crossed the line and awarded the field goal.
Despite the comfortable victory, India’s inability to score from open play and its vulnerability in the closing minutes will give the team management some concern ahead of tougher matches against England and Pakistan.
The victory earned India the maximum three points and extended its recent winning record against Wales. India had previously beaten Wales 4-1 and 4-2 in their last two meetings.
Earlier, Australia defeated Japan 2-0 in the women’s competition.
(Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience of 14 years with Reuters News and 30 years with The Tribune Group. He has covered Punjab and Sikh affairs for more than three decades besides covering seven Olympics)
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