Hero Hockey World League: India ovecome spirited Ireland 3-2

India overcame a spirited Ireland 3-2 to rack up their third consecutive win in the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. The Indians, who were offered stiff resistance by Ireland, were lucky to glean full points from the match.

Riding high on confidence after big wins in their first two games, India got into the thick of things, with Danish Mujtaba creating the first penalty corner in the third minute after he sped down the left of the Irish striking circle.

Vokkaliga Raghunath’s drag-flick was impressively saved by Irish goalkeeper David Harte but the ball rose dangerously and resulted in a follow-on PC. Raghunath failed to make the most of it for the second time as well.

India continued to orchestrate attacking raids and won their third short corner in the eight minute after Mandeep Singh was unfairly challenged. Rupinder Pal Singh whipped home a rasping drag-flick, which was well saved by the Irish defence.

India showed promise once again when an overlapping Raghunath combined with Malak Singh, but the latter was obstructed inside the Irish ‘D, which resulted in the fourth penalty corner. Rupinder finally made it count, slamming home in the 15th minute.

India had an opportunity to go 2-0 up when they forced their fifth penalty corner, but Raghunath muffed up that opportunity.

Ireland, who did little of note upfront in the first twenty minutes of play, were awarded their opening PC in the 21st minute, but the Indian defence held out stoutly.

The green shirts forced their second penalty corner in the 25th minute, but PR Sreejesh pulled off a fine save. However, it resulted in a follow-on PC.

C Harte slammed home by essaying a potent reverse hit, which beat the Indian defence all ends even as the spectators were stunned to silence.

India survived an anxious moment at the stroke of half-time as Ireland threatened to take the lead, but Michael Wyatt failed to tap it home.

Raghunath gave India a crucial 2-1 lead early in the second half (39th minute), converting India’s sixth penalty corner.

Ireland leveled things through Eugene Magee, who came up with a fantastic reverse hit in the 51st minute.

The Irish joy of restoring parity was short-lived, as five minutes later, India once again pulled ahead when Dharamvir Singh struck with a reverse hit after he was brilliantly set up by Mandeep Singh.

Ireland gave the Indian defence some jittery moments in the dying moments, forcing three penalty corners including back-to-back short corners in the final minute of play. However, India were able to hold on for the win.