Host India received a jolt after exit from the FIH Men’s World Cup after
losing to New Zealand in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. The loss ended India’s
hopes of a Wold Cup medal after 48 years. Despite vociferous support from
the jampacked Kalinga Stadium crowd, India allowed New Zealand to come back
from two-goal deficit in the regulation time as the match ended at 3-3 in
the regulation time.
losing to New Zealand in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. The loss ended India’s
hopes of a Wold Cup medal after 48 years. Despite vociferous support from
the jampacked Kalinga Stadium crowd, India allowed New Zealand to come back
from two-goal deficit in the regulation time as the match ended at 3-3 in
the regulation time.
In the penalty shootout, the scores were also tied after the first five set
of strikes, and the match was finally decided via sudden death.Captain
Harmanpreet Singh had the golden chance to take India to victory in sudden
death but he failed to do that as he missed the target.
Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made two saves in the shootout to rescue
India after they were 2-3 down. He saved another one during the sudden
death and got himself injured and Krishan Pathak replaced him in the next
three rounds of strikes. Finally, Shamsher Singh missed and Sam Lane scored
to hand New Zealand the win.
New Zealand will now face defending champions Belgium, who topped Pool B,
in the quarterfinals here on Tuesday.
