FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup: Number 13 proves lucky for India as it makes a winning start

India could not have asked for more from its hockey team that wrapped a pleasant Lohri gift for the countrymen with a splendid  2-0 win over Spain  in its opening game of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup at Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela on Friday. And for that matter number 13 proved lucky for Team India as it was led by number 13 (Harmanpreet Singh) in its  first group D match ion January 13.

England, another strong contender from the same group, had in an earlier match beaten its traditional rival Wales 5-0.

India was unlucky not to extend the margin of its win as midway in the third quarter it muffed a penalty stroke taken by none other than skipper Harmanpreet Singh.

Amit Rohidas, a local boy, was the toast of the packed Birsa Munda stadium as he made no mistake from the rebound of a penalty corner taken by Harmanpreet in the  14th minute. After the goalkeeper Rafi Adrian padded the flick by Indian skipper, Amit Rohidas pounced upon the rebound to slash it home with a rising shot. Once in the lead, Indian team went all out to completely dominate the first quarter. earning three penalty corners against none by their opponents.

Though Indian skipper had promised that common mistakes his team has been known to make especially in the fourth and last quarter, it was no different today. First Abhishek got marching orders with just 11 minutes remaining in the game. And then the entire team fell back to defend its citadel and in the process conceded two penalty corners. Lucky, Spain wasted both the chances. India added two more penalty corners to three it earned in the first half. From the first Neelam flicked wide while from the fifth and last Harmanpreet, too, was off the target. Harmanpreet would carry mixed memories of the game as in the  33rd minute, Akashdeep Singh earneda pemnalty stroke for the home team. He was thwarted as he was about to take a swipe at the goal. Harmanpreet who came up- to take the stroke tried to send a knee high flick in the right corner of the goal.  Adrian Rafi, goalkeeper of Spain, moved in time to block the shot but fell behind the goal line. Harmanpreet wanted a video review as he thought the ball had crossed the goal line. The Video Referee, however, turned down his review request.

Amit Rohidas was adjudged man of the match for scoring the country’s first goal in the 15th edition of the World Cup. Otherwise, hero was Hardik Singh, who scored a marvelous field goal. Hoodwinking his way through a horde of defenders he sent a pass for Lalit. But before the ball could reach Indian forward, a defender deflected the ball into his own goal to give India much needed second goal.

Though Spain tried desperately in the fourth quarter to reduce the margin, Indian defence managed to stave off the dangers with  timely clearances.

Earlier,England dominated proceedings against Wales. Enjoying better exchanges, England had 13 penalty corners against one by Wales.

England started as it was in a hurry to wrap up iuts first game. Taking lead in the 37th second, it was Sam Ward who paved way for first World Cup goal on the play fields of Birsa Munda Stadium. His back pass from the goal line saw Park Nicholas finding the target. Two penalty corner goals by Liam Ansell and goals by Phil Roper and Nicholas Bandurak completed the tally for England. England muffed a penalty stroke in the 40th minute when Zachary Wallace scooped wide of the target to the great relief of  Wales goalkeeper Toy Renolds-Dotteril, who otherwise made some excellent saves to keep the margin respectable.

Prabhjot Singh