The Indian Men’s Hockey team started the year 2022 in style as they thrashed France 5-0 in their opening match of the FIH Pro League at Potchefstroom, South Africa, on Tuesday.
Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar got the first two goals from penalty corners before Shamsher Singh, Mandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh also joined the party.
India under head coach Graham Reid were slow to get into the groove as France were looking to put a lot of pressure on the Indian defence in the opening quarter. The first quarter ended goallessly. India got two chances from back to back penalty corners which were resolutely defended by France or struck waywardly by the Indians.
It was in the second quarter the deadlock was broken with Harmanpreet (21st minute) and Varun (24th) getting on the scoresheet through set-pieces. Then Shamsher Singh added the third from a fine counter attack.
The second half started with Mandeep Singh who also joined the party in making it 4-0. He scored a fine goal after combing with captain Manpreet Singh. Later Akashdeep Singh on a historic occasion scored the fifth goal in the 41st minute with a reverse hit.
France on the other hand earned back to back penalty corners and wanted to get back in the game in the final quarter. But they could not break open the Indian rear guard. The Indians also could not add more to the tally in the last fifteen minutes but a 5-0 win to start the proceedings should be decent enough for the Men in Blue and their head coach Graham Reid.
France who are ranked 13th in the World entered the tournament after Canada’s withdrawal due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Indian team started a little nervously but the Frenchman could not capitalise on that period as they had chances to score first and take the lead. But once the Men in Blue got in rhythm they simply dominated the play and scored five goals past the French defenders. Indians had 22 attempts on goal. The Olympic bronze medallist made a total of 34 circle penetrations to France’s 26 penetrations.
The Men in Blue will take on South Africa next in their FIH Hockey Pro League 2022.
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