Bhubaneswar: A double goal haul by experienced Lalit Upadhyay guided host India into the quarter final of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, defeating Canada by 5-1 in the last Pool C league match at Kalinga Stadium.
India and Belgium gathered seven points each but on the basis of goal difference host barged into the quarterfinals.
Host need a win to get into the quarterfinal round directly, the team go all out from the first minute of the match with penetrating the Canadian circle. Which resulted three PC in favour of Indian team in the first quarter and they converted one in favour of them.
Surendra Kumar put first ball into the penalty area of Canada from the right flank, but Dilpreet Singh couldn’t capitalise it. In the 10th minute host won a PC, which was saved by the runners stick.
Just after two minutes, Akashdeep Singh’s video referral was resulted a PC for India, dependable drag flicker Harmanpreet Singh crossed pass the Canadian goalkeeper Antoni Kindler to give a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.
Unlucky drag flicker missed the stroke while trying for a variations during the third PC. (UNI)