"Arrey kabhi open play se bhi goal kiya karo" - Fans question Indian men's hockey team despite 2-0 win over Ireland at Paris Olympics 2024
The Indian men's hockey team defeated Ireland with a 2-0 scoreline on Tuesday in their third Pool B match of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Harmanpreet Singh scored both goals in the match, the first from a penalty stroke and the second from a penalty corner.
Despite staying undefeated so far at the Summer Games, the Indian men's hockey team have relied on penalty corners and strokes for most of their goals. They needed a stroke to secure the win against New Zealand, and a penalty corner for the draw against Argentina.
Following the win over Ireland, one fan bemoaned the lack of goals from open play, writing:
“Arrey kabhi open play se bhi goal kiya karo (score some goals from open play as well).”
One fan also criticised the penalty corner conversion rate, with India able to convert only two from 15 attempts in the first two matches.
“Our PC conversion is HORRIBLE to say the least. It has been in all 3 games,” one fan wrote.
Another fan was concerned about the road ahead for India, with the Men in Blue set to face much tougher opponents in Belgium and Australia in the coming days.
“Belgium is going to be lot more tough than Australia . Hoping for miracle by Harmanpreet and Sreejesh,” the fan wrote.
One fan appreciated the performance of veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, writing:
“A tad bit sloppy second half for India in terms of attack, however Sreejesh stood like a wall throughout the Irish attack waves.”
“India defeat Ireland 2-0 with a cleansheet in PCs😭😭 should have converted a couple of the lost opportunites but so good to see the team win. Cmmn India, iss baar Gold laana hai,” one fan posted.
“Despite a shaky second half and an excellent first half, India wins by 2-0 against Ireland. A lot of improvements needed on converting a 2-0 to 5-0, which was very much possible,” another fan wrote on X.
After Harmanpreet’s heroics against Ireland, Indian men's hockey team gears up for tough match against Belgium
The Indian men's hockey team had to yet again rely on their captain Harmanpreet Singh as they beat Ireland in the third match of the men’s hockey Pool B in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Despite being the dominant team in the match, the Men in Blue turned in a flat performance where they preferred to avoid aerial passes. Ultimately, Harmanpreet Singh broke the deadlock.
The 28-year-old penalty specialist scored from a stroke in the 11th minute after Mandeep Singh was roughly tackled. The match ahead was a cagey affair, with India missing a penalty corner.
Harmanpreet struck again in the second quarter, scoring a penalty corner to take India up by two goals to nil. Despite a green card for him towards the end of the match, and a flurry of penalty corners for Ireland, the Indian men's hockey team held on to the lead, with goalkeeper PR Sreejesh putting in an assured display between the sticks.
With this win, the Indian men's hockey team go to the top of Pool B, one point above second-placed Belgium and third-placed Australia, both of whom have six points and a game in hand. Harmanpreet and Co. will face World No. 3 Belgium on August 1 at 1:30pm IST in a crucial match that will decide the fate of Pool B.