Dominant First Half Secures Victory
The Indian men’s hockey team moved closer to the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympic 2024 Match with a 2-0 win over Ireland on Tuesday. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored twice, leading his team to victory in a Pool B match. India dominated the first half, consistently penetrating the rival circle and controlling the play. This performance was expected as Ireland was considered the easiest opponent in the pool.
Second Half Challenges
Despite a strong start, India faced challenges in the second half. The team was less convincing but managed to hold onto their lead. This win takes India to seven points from three matches, while Ireland is now out of the quarterfinal race. Belgium and Australia, both unbeaten with six points each, are set to play against each other later in the day.
Previous Matches and Pool Standings
India narrowly defeated New Zealand 3-2 and held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in their Olympic 2024 Match. Argentina and New Zealand are likely to compete for the fourth spot in Pool B. The top four teams from each of the two pools will qualify for the quarterfinals.
Harmanpreet’s Key Goals
Harmanpreet scored his first goal in the 13th minute from a penalty stroke and added another in the 19th minute, converting a penalty corner. Despite numerous penalty corners in the second half, both teams failed to score further goals. Ireland wasted 10 chances, highlighting their inefficiency.
Defensive Concerns
Defender Jarmanpreet Singh acknowledged the team’s defensive lapses, especially conceding many penalty corners in the second half. “We should not have conceded that many PCs in the second half. We have to work on that. But at the same time, we did not concede a goal, which tells about our PC defence. But yes, we can’t afford so many PCs,” he said.
Ball Control Issues
Forward Sukhjeet Singh mentioned the team’s struggle to control the ball in the third quarter. “We could not control the ball in the third quarter, and they made full use of that. They are a good team, we expected a comeback. Yet, we did better in the final quarter,” he said.
Early Opportunities
India earned their first penalty corner in the second minute of the match, but Harmanpreet’s strike was blocked. Another chance created by Harmanpreet hit the post. The first goal came from a penalty stroke in the 13th minute after Gurjant intercepted the ball and passed it to Mandeep Singh, leading to a tackle by Shane O’Donoghue.
Sustained Pressure
India continued to press in the second quarter, with Harmanpreet doubling the lead by converting the fourth penalty corner. Despite staying aggressive, India had several balls not cleared properly, allowing Ireland opportunities.
Ireland’s Missed Chances
Ireland got their first penalty corner on a debatable call, but Indian custodian PR Sreejesh blocked the shot. In the third quarter, Ireland earned eight penalty corners but failed to convert any. Defensive lapses from India could have been punished by a better opponent.
Final Quarter and Conclusion
In the final quarter, Ireland earned two more penalty corners but lacked the finishing needed to score. India’s win, despite the defensive issues, showcases their potential and resilience in the tournament. The team now focuses on securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Stay updated with the latest Olympic 2024 Match from IPL365.
