Harmanpreet drags India to 3-0 win over New Zealand

Ipoh (Malaysia), April 30 

Defender Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners as India stamped their authority over New Zealand with an assertive 3-0 victory in the 26th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here today. Following a 2-2 draw against Great Britain in the opening game on Saturday, India now have four points from two outings.

Mandeep Singh opened the Indian account with a fine deflection in the 23rd minute, and then Harmanpreet produced two fine drag-flicks to penetrate the Black Sticks' defence.

After the experimental New Zealand side had three shots at the goal in the first quarter, the Indians settled down nicely and dominated the match. New Zealand earned the first penalty corner in the sixth minute, but the low shot went straight to goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who kicked it out. As the Indian defence took time to settle down, New Zealand took two more shots at the goal but failed to score. 

It was in the 10th minute that India got their first real chance of the match — Akashdeep cracked a reverse hit from the top of the circle but it soared high over the cross-bar. Two minutes later, Manpreet Singh sent a diagonal ball into the circle to SV Sunil, who shot wide despite having just the goalkeeper to beat.

Breakthrough 

India broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Chinglensana Singh sent a reverse shot into the goalmouth, where Mandeep did exceptionally well to deflect the shoulder-high ball past the goalkeeper. Four minutes later, Harmanpreet joined the party as he scored off the first penalty corner; his stinging drag-flick went into the left corner, making it 2-0 for India. India forced two penalty corners in as many minutes just before half-time, but both went abegging. 

200 for Sunil

Playing in his 200th international match, Sunil had a chance to score five minutes after half-time when he was in a one-on-one position with the goalkeeper, but he ended up flicking the ball wide of the mark. In the 39th minute, Akashdeep took a shot from a very narrow angle but the ball went over the bar.

Harmanpreet came back in the 47th minute to round off the tally with another penalty-corner conversion, this time the rasping drag-flick going into the top corner of the left side.  — PTI

Harman can be the best flicker: Coach

India coach Roelant Oltmans feels Harmanpreet Singh has the ability to become the best drag-flicker in the world. Praising Harmanpreet, Oltmans said the youngster had justified the faith reposed in him. On Sunday, Harmanpreet took six of the seven penalty corners despite the presence of the more experienced Rupinderpal Singh. “Harmanpreet is a fantastic drag-flicker, he proved it with two fantastic goals. If he continues to play this way, he can become the No. 1 drag-flicker in the world in a couple of years,” said Oltmans. “I see his tremendous potential in the training sessions. He needs to be given the opportunity and exposure to improve,” the coach said.