India, who played a goalless draw in the previous match, won by defeating Wales 4-2 in their last group match played on Thursday in the ongoing FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup at Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha, but they ended up in the second place in the points table.
This means that now they will have to play crossover to make it to the last eight. Crossover is a system under which, after qualifying as number one in a group, there remains a chance for the number two and third teams to make it to the last eight. In such a situation, the Indian team will now play against New Zealand, from where its future will be decided. This match will be played with New Zealand on 22 January.
By the third quarter, the Wales team was able to level the match at 2-2, but India scored two goals in the last quarter. The fourth goal from his side was scored by Harmanpreet in the 59th minute of the game by converting a penalty corner. Akashdeep Singh scored the third goal for India, which was also his second goal.
Amazing performance by India in the third and fourth quarter
Before this, an amazing game was played in the third quarter. Both goals were scored for Wales in the same quarter. Furlong Gareth scored the first goal for Wales in the 42nd minute of the game from a penalty corner, then two minutes later, Dorper Jacob of Wales converted another penalty corner to make the score 2–2 to equalize the scoreline in the third quarter.
In the second quarter, India increased its lead to 2-0 by scoring another goal in this quarter. Akashdeep scored the second field goal. India had a 1-0 lead over Wales at half time and this goal was scored by Shamsher Singh through a penalty corner in the second quarter. In the first quarter, both teams failed to score against each other.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Ab New Zealand ko bhi hara do#FIHMensHockeyWorldCup
— Cricketbugs (@Cricketbugs0) January 20, 2023
This is our India
Nation always above any religion#haq_se_bhartiya❣️— TOXIC Raghav (@RaghavR11993198) January 19, 2023
We want gold 🥇🏆
— Jagdish Rathore #SAVE SOIL (@jagdishJR7) January 19, 2023
With this form, it will be difficult to win against kiwis and then we have to play against Germany in Qfs 😒
They had a PC Workshop before tournament and now they are missing PCs badly.— midhun (@midhuntweets4u) January 19, 2023
India rocks but Argentina or Australia is going to win
— Praneel Pandey (@praneelOPji) January 19, 2023
Chak de India
— A Random Mouse (@jerry80042722) January 19, 2023
Hockey me bhi New Zealand hi samne aa gyi yrr 😭😭😑💔
— _deepak.jain1827 (@Deepakjain1827) January 19, 2023
India did not play well today. Wales is a much lower ranking team and we needed to win with 8 goals to go direct into quarters. Nevertheless win is a win.
— Divyanshu Shrimali (@DivyanshuShrim1) January 19, 2023
