‘Yaar phir wahi New Zealand’ – Fans shocked as India storm out of FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 after loss vs NZ in crossover
India embarked on a beautiful journey in the ongoing FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 until they squared off against New Zealand in the crossover match on January 22, Sunday. To add more, the Bharat Army were so close to cementing a place in the quarter-finals until the Black Caps ruined the party in the shootouts.
As far as the game is concerned, the first quarter was a tough battle between the two sides and it ended with neither of them scoring a goal, despite both teams creating adequate chances. Much to the delight of the Indian fans, the Men in Blue scored the first goal of the contest in the second quarter and took an early lead in the game on the back of a stupendous hit from Shamsher Singh.
Much to the delight of the Indian fans, the team bounced back and capitalized on a penalty corner in the 24th minute, with Sukhjeet Singh making full use of the opportunity. The fans were up on their feet, witnessing the spectacle unfold and with every chance that India created, the hopes soared high, until the Black Caps scored their first goal at the stroke of the first half in the 28th minute.
Disastrous exit for India as New Zealand win in shootout
The Men in Blue brimmed with confidence in the third quarter with Varun Kumar scoring the third goal for the team in the 40th minute, 5 minutes prior to the break. However, the New Zealanders managed to reduce the aggregate as they made use of yet another penalty corner in the 43rd minute. With India failing to convert the penalty in the last minute of the quarter, the third 15 minutes ended with India leading 3-2.
India were hoping to increase the margin in the final quarter, in vain as the Black Caps managed to match the lead in the 49th minute and stormed back into the game. To everyone’s surprise, the match ended in a draw with each team scoring 3 goals apiece, heading into the shootout. It was a disaster for team India as they lost the shootout 4-5, storming out of the multinational tournament.
Here’s how fans have reacted to India’s exit from the FIH Hockey World Cup 2023:
With every defeat to NZ mufa learned new synonym of Lose
And now he has so many of it …
— DRP 🇮🇳 (@its_DRP) January 22, 2023
India is among the best teams in Asia. Pakistan hockey is now nowhere. Reason: Politics. Indian hockey rose bcz they worked a lot on grass root level
— Sports syncs (@moiz_sports) January 22, 2023
You can't revive other sports in India without winning major events. This time even people showed some interest to Support.
— Gowtham bh (@Gowthambh) January 22, 2023
Nobody cares even if we had won. The concern for National sport is poor.
Media, the first to blame for that. Good luck with cricket and IPL.
— Rahul 🇮🇳 (@Atoner_sharma) January 22, 2023
It took a long time for India to win the world cup in cricket …. but too many opportunities lost..
— Deeksha Arora (@DeekshaArora64) January 22, 2023
Its the ones with the Black Jersey again! My poor heart 💔
— Dr. Palak Singh (@thatsmePalak) January 22, 2023
Newzealand Taking Revenge of Bilateral Defeat
— Popa (@765InWC) January 22, 2023
Nz Thrashing Us Now In Every Knockout
— CricThings (@cric_things) January 22, 2023
Yaar phir wahi New Zealand ☹️
— Harsh Sharma (@harsh_sharma422) January 22, 2023
It's always newzealand 🚶🚶🚶💔💔
— sree_karan (@sreekaran15) January 22, 2023
New Zealand must leave India alone
— Thumesen (@Chelsea_rants17) January 22, 2023
