FIH Series Finals: Second Consecutive Win For India

Bhubaneswar: Skipper Manpreet Singh’s brace and Harmanpreet Singh’s goal from a penalty corner helped India registered their second consecutive win in the FIH Hockey Series Finals at Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.

India defeated Poland 3-1 in this second match.

After a no-goal first quarter, India took the lead as Manreet pounced on the ball after a great save by the Polish goalkeeper Maciej Pacanowski following a penalty corner and managed to lob it into the goal post in the 21st minute.

The higher ranked Indian team, however, could not cash in on the opportunities thereafter, allowing the opponents to equalise with Mateusz Hulboj tapping in the rising ball.

The hosts played a better game thereon and a fine shot by Manpreet Singh gave India the much-needed lead in the 26th minutes. The third and final goal was scored by Harmanpreet Singh, who converted a penalty corner in the 36th minute.

However, this win was far from impressive as India had slammed 10 goals against a hapless Poland at Azlan Shah Cup, less than three months ago.

In another Pool A match, Russia scored 12 goals against Uzbekistan.

In Pool B, Asian champions Japan defeated Mexico 3-1.