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The Indian men’s hockey team defeated Ireland with a comfortable 4-0 margin at the Birsa Munda Hockey International Hockey Stadium, to finish the Rourkela leg of the FIH Pro League 2023-24 on a great note. At the halfway stage of the premier international hockey competition, India are in third place on the leaderboard with 15 points in eight matches.
In the first half of the FIH Pro League match, India scored two goals in back-to-back minutes to take the 2-0 lead against Ireland. Nilakanta Singh converted a penalty corner in the 14th minute to put the hosts ahead before Akashdeep Singh doubled it up with a field goal in the next minute.
Gurjant Singh made it 3-0 for India through a field goal in the 38th minute to put them in firm control of the match in the second half. Ireland’s efforts to make a comeback were far from enough as the hosts put an exclamation mark on the contest with a penalty corner goal through Jugraj Singh in the 60th and final minute.
Manpreet Singh was given the Player of the Match award for his exceptional performance in the midfield, despite not finding his name on the scoresheet. After ending the Rourkela leg of the FIH Pro League 2023-24 with a victory against Ireland, the Indian men’s hockey team will be travelling to Antwerp and London in the upcoming summer to play the remainder of the competition.
