Harmanpreet's brace, Sreejesh's heroics help India beat New Zealand 3-2 in Olympic opener
Tokyo: Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace and veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh stood like a wall in the closing minutes as the Indian men's hockey team overcame a late surge from New Zealand to eke out a close 3-2 win in its opening Olympic Games match here on Saturday.
Harmanpreet (26th and 33rd minutes) scored a double for India, while Rupinder Pal Singh (10th) was the other goal-getter for the eight-time former champions, currently ranked fourth in the world, in the Pool A match at the Oi hockey stadium here.
For the eighth-ranked New Zealand, Kane Russell scored from a penalty corner in the sixth minute before Stephen Jenness (43rd minute) reduced the margin of defeat later in the match.
India will next play mighty Australia on Sunday.
The Indians were shocked in the sixth minute when Russell found the top right corner of the Indian goal past Sreejesh with a fierce flick.
Even though he didn't score, striker Mandeep Singh was a live-wire for India upfront and earned a penalty corner for his side, which resulted in a penalty stroke from which Rupinder drew parity in the 10th minute.
New Zealand were not to be left behind as they gave the Indian defence a run for its money securing four consecutive penalty corners but wasted all.
From a counter-attack, Gurjant came close to handing India the lead but his effort was saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Leon Hayward.
Four minutes into the second quarter, Hayward again came to the scene when he kept away India skipper Manpreet Singh's lob from a one-on-one situation.
But six minutes later, Harmanpreet gave India a 2-1 lead at the half-time.
Three minutes after the change of ends, Harmanpreet was again in the thick of things when he converted his second penalty corner of the day with a precision strike.
India secured another penalty corner minutes later but this time Harmanpreet's effort was saved by the Kiwi defence.
But the match came to life when Jenness scored with a lovely finish past Sreejesh in the near post in the 43rd minute.
Three minutes from full time, Lalit Upadhayay's strike from top of the circle was blocked brilliantly by Hayward to keep New Zealand in the hunt.
It was all New Zealand in the final few minutes of the game as they pressed hard for the equaliser and in the process earned three penalty corners in quick succession but Sreejesh came to India's rescue making some brilliant saves to keep the opponents at bay.
With 24 seconds to go, New Zealand secured another penalty corner but once again the experienced Sreejesh came to India's rescue and helped his side secure full points from the game.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Efforts on to bring back 109 people from Karnataka stuck in West Asia: Min. Krishna Byre Gowda
Bengaluru (PTI): As many as 109 people from Karnataka are stranded in the war-ravaged West Asia, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's office said on Monday.
According to the statement, 100 are held up in Dubai (UAE), while nine are stuck in Bahrain.
Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the Karnataka government is making efforts to bring back those stranded in the Gulf.
Everyone has been asking whether special flights or any other arrangements will be made to bring people back to Karnataka.
He added that people are asking if rescue flights or special flights are being arranged for their return journey.
"We have taken up this matter with the central government and sought their intervention. The central government has informed us that, as air traffic is currently not allowed there and has been suspended, no flights can operate at present. However, as soon as air traffic is cleared — once the current suspension is lifted and flights are permitted to operate — the Central Government will make arrangements for return travel, either through special flights or through regular airline services," the Minister said.
According to Gowda, 109 people stuck in the Gulf region had called the helpline and shared their details.
"Yesterday, after the Chief Minister issued instructions in the morning, we further stepped up our efforts. From our Principal Secretary of Disaster Management to the Commissioner level, and through our State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), we have been actively working since Saturday night," he said.
The Minister said the government is in daily contact with the Government of India, particularly the Ministry of External Affairs, to reach our people who are stranded there.
He also noted that flights bound for Karnataka are unable to take off from there and are getting stranded at the airport midway.
