Hockey World Cup: India ‘choke’ against New Zealand amid high drama to exit title race | Hockey News – Times of India

BHUBANESWAR: An Indian team in utter disbelief choked amid high drama at the Hockey World Cup here, as New Zealand stunned the hosts in sudden-death to move into the quarterfinals and relegate the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist to play the placement matches in Rourkela.
Leading twice by two goals — 2-0 first and then 3-1, the Indian defence failed to withstand the pressure exerted by New Zealand who beat India at their game to come back and end the 60 minutes at 3-3.
As it happened: India vs New Zealand
The penalty shootout also ended 3-3, and the game entered sudden death, as the crowd slowly moved to the edge of their seats and waited with bated breath.
India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh brought the hosts back single-handedly, saving New Zealand’s last two attempts in regular shootout to keep India in the hunt and then got injured, but not before saving the first one-on-one sudden death attempt by the Black Sticks’ skipper Nic Woods.

India captain Harmanpreet Singh had the golden opportunity to seal the game, but his poor form didn’t leave him as he tried to slap the ball soon after entering the circle, which was easily saved by the NZ goalkeeper Leon Hayward, who replaced Dominic Dixon in the post for the shootouts.
India then had to bring Krishan Pathak in the goal, but once Sukhjeet Singh missed, the New Zealand players came running to Hayward to celebrate the biggest upset of the World Cup so far.
Earlier in regulation period, Lalit Upadhyay (18th minute), Sukhjeet Singh (25th) and Varun Kumar (41st) scored for India, while New Zealand’s comeback was scripted by Sam Lane (29th), Kane Russell (44th) and Sean Findlay (50th).