In a gripping contest at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Tuesday, the Indian men’s hockey team continued its unbeaten streak in the Paris 2024 Olympics with a commanding 2-0 win over Ireland. Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh was the hero of the day, netting both goals for his team.

With this victory, India has further solidified its position at the top of Pool B. The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists now have two wins and a draw, accumulating seven points and leading their group. Harmanpreet Singh’s exceptional performance has seen him score four goals across three matches, making him a pivotal figure in India’s campaign.

India dominates early in the match

The Indian team, currently ranked fifth in the world, wasted no time establishing their dominance. They earned their first penalty corner within the initial two minutes of the game. Despite a strong save by Irish goalkeeper David Harte, India’s attacking prowess was evident. Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring with a well-executed penalty stroke in the 11th minute.

In the second quarter, India maintained the pressure on Ireland. Lalit Upadhyay missed a golden opportunity, and Manpreet Singh’s shot was thwarted by Harte. However, Harmanpreet Singh doubled India’s lead with a stunning drag flick from a penalty corner in the 19th minute, marking his fourth goal of the tournament.

Ireland’s late charge falls short

As the match progressed into the third quarter, Ireland, ranked 11th in the world, began to show signs of resistance. Despite several attempts, including notable chances created by John McKee, Ireland was unable to break through India’s defence. Benjamin Walker, Lee Cole, and Shane O’Donoghue all failed to convert their opportunities.

The final quarter saw Ireland intensify their efforts. Cole’s early penalty corner was saved by Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who drew applause from the crowd for his decisive performance. Although Ireland received a final penalty corner just before the end of the match, India’s defence stood firm, ensuring their second victory of the tournament.

Looking ahead

India’s next challenge will be against the Tokyo 2020 gold medallists, Belgium, in their penultimate group stage match. This upcoming game will be crucial in determining India’s progression in the tournament as they aim to maintain their unbeaten record and advance further.

Hockey expert and commentator Rajiv Mehta praised India’s performance, highlighting Harmanpreet Singh’s crucial role. “Harmanpreet’s precision and consistency have been instrumental in India’s success so far. His ability to deliver under pressure reflects his high skill level and composure,” Mehta commented.

  Belgium, Harmanpreet Singh, Hockey, India, Ireland, Paris 2024 Olympics, PR Sreejesh, Stade Yves-du-Manoir, Tokyo 2020