Paris Olympics: Harmanpreet Sets Up Win But India Struggle Against Ireland Ahead Of Tough Games

New Delhi: A day after managing to snatch a point from their game against Argentina thanks to a late strike by skipper Harmanpreet Singh, India returned to winning ways in the Paris Olympics men’s hockey competition on Tuesday.

It was Harmanpreet once again who put his hands up in another mediocre India display, scoring twice to hand Ireland a 2-0 defeat in Pool B.

The captain converted a penalty stroke in the opening quarter, and then scored from a penalty corner in the second quarter. With 4 goals in 3 matches, Harmanpreet is the tournament’s leading scorer right now.

The Indians are now top of the group with 7 points, but have their two toughest matches coming up – against Belgium on August 1 (1.30 pm IST) and versus Australia on August 2 (4.45 pm).

Four teams from both pools will advance to the quarterfinals, but higher India finish, brighter will be their chances of avoiding strong teams like Germany and the Netherlands in the first knockout stage.

India, having needed a late surge to beat New Zealand 3-2 in their opener, succeeded in converting just 1 out of 10 penalty corners against Argentina.

On Tuesday, the Indian defence conceded as many as 10 penalty corners against lowly Ireland, mostly after half-time.

“We have to be careful against teams like Belgium and Australia.. can’t afford to give away so many PCs,” Harmanpreet said after the match.

The likes of PR Sreejesh, Amit Rohidas and Jarmanpreet Singh did well to thwart the Irish attempts, but they will have to be much more alert and agile to stop the Belgian and Aussie attackers.