India triumph over New Zealand 4-2 in first hockey Test
The Indian men’s hockey team has started their three-match Test series on a positive note by defeating New Zealand 4-2 in the first hockey Test at the Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru Campus on Thursday. Rupinder Pal Singh and Stephen Jenness are the leading goal scorers at the moment.
The hosts began well as Rupinder Pal Singh fired India into the lead in the second minute of the match from a penalty corner. The visitors did get a chance to draw level five minutes later, but the Indian goalkeeper, Krishan Pathak was alive to the danger and managed to keep the team's lead intact. India doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Manpreet Singh’s assist helped Mandeep Singh score a brilliant goal.
In the second quarter, India had the chance to extend their lead even further but some poor execution on a penalty corner meant that the Kiwis were still in touching distance. And the visitors made them pay with
Rupinder was at it again with a brilliant drag flick, into the top right corner, to restore India's