Tokyo 2020 Olympics: India vs New Zealand talking points

It is never easy, watching Indian hockey team play. Especially, in the last few minutes when the team

Sreejesh bossed India's defense yesterday

usually concedes and throws it all away. Yesterday, was a different day under the guidance of a player who has numerous times have helped India come out of the top- PR Sreejesh. Defense led by PR Sreejesh, nearly played out of their skins to deliver India first win of the game. 

Throughout the game, India’s defense was on their toes denying New Zealand and work on creating goal scoring opportunities for Indian attack line. With midfield put out of equation, the defenders, pumped up long troubling balls to New Zealand striking circle. Rupinder Pal and Harmanpreet combined well to three of the five penalty corners to put India in the commanding position. And, survived last minute New Zealand onslaught. All, in 60 minutes of play. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: India survives last minute scare to beat New Zealand 3-2

 It is never a dull moment with Indian hockey team. Ghosts of last minutes were once again visible as

Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals for India

Indian hockey team that saw Indian hockey fans hold their breaths as Indian defense bailed out the team against New Zealand in their opening match of Tokyo 2020. Earlier two goals by Harmanpreet and one goal by Rupinder Pal Singh put India in an advantageous position against ninth ranked New Zealand team.

Traditionally a slow starter in big events, Indian team management would have felt relieved with the win against the team that has been a bogey for India

As it was expected before the game, early jitters of big event caught both the teams as there was

Tokyo 2020 Olympics Hockey: The Numbers Game- Players

When it comes to hockey statistics, no one even comes close to departed B.G. Joshi. A fan who made

The Numbers speak

his life mission to cover and complete hockey statistics. Such was his reputation; he was a go to person for every journalist when it came to hockey statistics. Even FIH, the international hockey federation would consult him when they needed any help with the numbers. 

Though we are nowhere near B.G. Joshi, we are still trying our best to cover the numbers based on the data available to us as a mark of respect to the great guy who dedicated his life towards the game, we all love.

Here are some of the key numbers with regards as we ring in in to 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: New Zealand vs India Preview, Teams, Where to Watch

 A year late, hundreds of restrictions and no crowd. This is not how India would have wanted to start

Mandeep to lead Indian forward line

their Olympics campaign. However, with the world still struggling to control Covid-19, the team is thankful that they can break their 41 years wait of an Olympic medal. 

It’s has been two years since India last faced New Zealand. Coincidentally, last time both these teams faced each other was in Tokyo for Ready Steady Tokyo invitational tournament. India, with World ranking of five drubbed New Zealand 5-0 in the finals to win the tournament. 

Though India has a good record in the recent times against New Zealand, the games in international tournaments have been close encounters. In 2018, Commonwealth Games, while entire hockey community was expecting India to beat New Zealand, the Black Sticks stunned India 3-2 and reached the finals. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: What do Indians fans expect from their hockey teams?

Indian hockey fans supporting the team in
Olympics qualifiers

Hope is the last thing ever lost says an Italian proverb. This proverb holds true for every Indian hockey fan. Indian hockey fans have been hoping for last 40 years. Hoping that the jinx of not reaching the podium will be broken. Hoping that Indian hockey team will once again get hero’s return and hoping that Indian flag will fly high once again in the Olympics. 

Sports has been a great distraction, especially in this pandemic. Sports helps people get their mind away from their problems and be happy. Hockey is no different. It binds people together. When Indian team wins, every hockey fan jumps with joy and the nation becomes one. In times of defeat, the entire fan group comes together and griefs as one. 

With Tokyo Olympics just few days away, we spoke to some Indian hockey fans and asked what they expected from the team.