New Zealand defeated India in the second crossover match of the FIH Men’s World Cup on Sunday. The thrilling match between India and New Zealand ended 4-5 in the penalty shootout with both the teams tied at 3-3.
A below-par performance from India, ranked sixth in the world, gave New Zealand a chance to fight back in the match after taking a 2-0 lead in the first half. India scored through Lalit Upadhyay (17th minute), Sukhjit Singh (24th) and Varun Kumar (40th). New Zealand responded through Sam Lane (28th) and two penalty corners from Ken Russell (43rd) and Sean Findlay (49th).
Team India will now play against Japan in the 9th-16th place game on Thursday, January 26. On the other hand, New Zealand have reached the quarter-finals and will next face Belgium.
India has been waiting for the World Cup trophy for 47 years and their wait continues with the defeat. India last won the Hockey World Cup trophy in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After this, the Indian team never got a chance to lift any trophy in this global event. Team India won the World Cup last time by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan.
In the group stage level, England beat Spain 4–0 from Pool D and had a goal difference of 9 which made them table-toppers. Team India needed to beat Wales in such a way that their goal difference was more than England. However, India’s final goal difference was 3, and hence they finished second in Pool D and could not directly qualify for the quarter-finals.
Earlier in the day, Spain defeated Malaysia to enter the quarter-finals against Australia. The quarter-finals will start on January 24 and the final will be held on January 29.