~ Lalit Upadhyay (18'), Sukhjeet Singh (25') and Varun Kumar (41') score in regulation time ~
 
Bhubaneswar, 22nd January 2023: India's Men's Hockey Team on Sunday suffered a heart breaking loss to New Zealand in an incredibly tense crossover match here at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.
 
New Zealand beat India 5-4 in the sudden death of the shootouts after the two teams drew 3-3 in regulation time. For New Zealand, Nic Woods, Hayden Phillips, Sam Lane scored while Sean Findlay scored twice for his team in the shootouts. For India, Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh scored while Raj Kumar Pal scored twice.
 
After Spain edged past Malaysia in a thrilling shootout earlier in the evening to book their Quarterfinal berth, the contest between India and New Zealand too was expected to go down to the wire and both teams ensured edge-of-the-seat action for the packed audience in the iconic Kalinga Stadium.
 
India got off the blocks on an attacking mode as they created some fine goal scoring opportunities early in the game. But it took both teams a while to shake off the big-match nerves. It was in the 18th minute when India made the breakthrough via brilliant interception by Captain Harmanpreet Singh that set up a speedy counter attack. Upon receiving the ball from his Captain, Akashdeep made a long pass to Shamsher Singh who then assisted Lalit Upadhyay to score India's first goal.
 
They doubled the lead in the 25th minute when Sukhjeet Singh made a fine effort of a rebound from a dragflick. With two goals on board, India looked like they were in control of the proceedings until Sam Lane pumped a field goal in the 29th minute.
 
The next few minutes remained tense with India unable to convert from the chances in penalty corners. Finally, it was Varun Kumar who brought some respite when he converted from a dragflick in the 41st minute.
 

India allowed New Zealand back in the game when they made some critical errors in defence, giving aways PCs. In the 44th minute Kane Russell converted from a penalty corner narrowing India's lead to 3-2 and finally Sean Findlay scored from a PC in the 50th minute that equaled the score board resulting in a shootout.

 
On 26th January, India will play classification match against Japan in Rourkela. 

Matches will be live on Star Sports Select, Star Sports First, Star Sports2.

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‘National Women's Hockey League provides a platform for our top women's hockey talent to showcase their skills and compete at the highest domestic level’, says Bhola Nath Singh
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‘National Women's Hockey League provides a platform for our top women's hockey talent to showcase their skills and compete at the highest domestic level’, says Bhola Nath Singh

Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh on Thursday in a press conference held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium, in Ranchi spoke to reports about the importance of the much-awaited National Women’s Hockey League 2024-25. Phase 1 of the league will be held in Ranchi from 30th April to 9th May 2024, marking a historic moment for women's hockey in India. This first-of-its-kind domestic league promises to be a thrilling showcase of the nation's top female hockey talent.

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