Hockey World Cup 2023: How will India qualify for the quarter-finals after winning against Wales?
The Harmanpreet Singh-led side, however, failed to finish top of the Pool D standings and it was also the first game they conceded.
Shamsher Singh (21′), Akashdeep Singh (32′ and 45′) and Harmanpreet Singh (59′) were India’s scorers in the game. Shamsher and Harmanpreet converted penalty corners while Askashdeep’s brace were both field goals.
The game remained scoreless at the end of the first quarter as neither team managed to break through the other’s defences.
England beat Spain at HWC 2023
Earlier in the day, England beat Spain 4-0 in Pool D after playing out a goalless draw against India.
Phil Roper (10′), David Condon (21′), Nicholas Bandurak (50′) and Liam Ansell (51′) scored for England
After England beat Spain 4-0, India needed to win the game by a margin of 8 or more goals to top the Pool D team standings after the league stage.
Shamsher converted the penalty corner for India in the 21st minute and gave his side a 1-0 lead and something for the crowd to cheer.
At the halfway point, the home side were 1-0 down and Akashdeep’s magnificent basket extended the Indians’ lead to 2-0 in the 32nd minute.
The Welsh strikers were trying to break into India’s circle and were rewarded for their persistence in the 42nd minute when Gareth Furlong converted the chance from a penalty corner for his side. Two minutes later, Jacob Draper converted another penalty corner for Wales and equalized for his side.
The Kalinga Stadium crowd were also momentarily stunned as the Indian team conceded a few goals in the blink of an eye. The third quarter proved intriguing as three goals were scored.
However, in the fourth quarter, the hosts pulled themselves together again and Akashdeep’s second goal of the night put India back in the lead. It was the second basket.
Later, in the 59th minute, captain Harmanpreet – the drag flick specialist – also converted a penalty corner and secured victory for his side by a two-goal margin. It was also Harmanpreet’s first successful conversion. Seconds later, the final horn finally sounded and India won the match 4-2.
How will India qualify for the quarter-finals of HWC 2023?
They will now face New Zealand in the next match which is a crossover match and the winner of that match will advance to the quarter-finals.
India – who finished second in Pool D – will now face New Zealand – who finished third in Pool C.
When is the India vs New Zealand game?
The Indian men’s hockey team will face New Zealand on Sunday, January 22, in the crossover match at Kalinga Stadium. The match will start at 7:00 p.m. (IST).
