Mandeep Singh two good as India beat New Zealand 4-3

Representation pic

A brace by Mandeep Singh helped reigning Olympic bronze medallists India rally from two goals down to beat New Zealand 4-3 in a thrilling opening game of the 2022-23 FIH Pro League at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.

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Mandeep Mor gave the hosts the lead in the last minute of the first quarter with a field goal before NZ equalised in the second quarter through a Sam Lane penalty stroke which was awarded after his penalty corner attempt was blocked on the line by an Indian defender's foot. In the third quarter, Jake Smith tapped one in to put the Kiwis ahead. Lane scored again, this time off a penalty corner, to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.

A penalty stroke by India skipper Harmanpreet Singh saw the margin reduced by a goal. Mandeep then made the fourth quarter his own with his twin strikes. He first scored off a neat deflection and then executed a crisp hit to sound the boards for his second. The Indian team take on Spain on Sunday followed by return fixtures against New Zealand and Spain on November 4 and November 6 respectively.

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