INDIA: India defeated Wales 4-2 thanks to a brace from Akashdeep Singh in their Pool D matchup on Thursday in Bhubaneshwar.
Shamsher and Harmanpreet Singh also scored goals as India held off an attack from the Welsh team in the third quarter. India was under pressure after England beat Spain 4-0 earlier in the day to take the top spot in Pool D.
India vs Wales
The hosts started the game strongly, and Mandeep attempted to open India’s account in the first minute, but the Wales goalkeeper was able to fend off the attack. The Indians put constant pressure on Wales but could not score a goal.
In the 17th minute, India scored their first PC, but the goalkeeper quickly cleared away Harmanpreet’s weak shot. India took the lead five minutes later thanks to Shamsher, who took advantage of a Wales loose clearance from an Indian penalty corner.
India got off to a good start in the third quarter when Akashdeep Singh doubled the lead in the 32nd minute. The India midfielder played a one-two with teammate Mandeep before netting the ball.
India continued to dominate the Welsh players, but their penalty corner conversion was horrendous. In the 42nd minute, Wales pulled one back from a penalty corner against the flow of play through Gareth Furlong.
A few minutes later, Draper helped them tie the game at 2-2 with the assistance of another penalty corner. Sreejesh saved the first shot, but Draper took advantage and put it past the Indian goalkeeper.
India started the fourth quarter on the right foot with Akashdeep’s brilliant run into the box and goal in the 46th minute to make it 3-2.
The hosts thought they had secured their fourth goal when Abhishek’s shot found the back of the net. However, it was deemed dangerous play because it had struck a Welsh defender.
As the game entered its final five minutes, Wales attempted to score an equalizer, but the Indian defence kept the score at 3-2.
India received a penalty corner after a green card reduced Wales to ten men and had to pull their goalkeeper out of the post. This time, India scored the elusive fourth goal thanks to Harmanpreet in the 59th minute.
India will proceed to the crossover stage to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
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