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India men’s hockey team beats France 5-4 in thriller in 5-Nations tournament in Valencia

India ended the five-nations tournament in Valencia, Spain on a high after grabbing a win against France

FP Sports December 21, 2023 08:30:16 IST

India men's hockey team in a file photo. Image: Hockey India

The Indian Men’s Hockey Team defeated France 5-4 in their fourth and final match of the 5 Nations Tournament Valencia 2023 on Saturday. The match that went back and forth throughout its duration saw Jugraj Singh (20’, 60’) and Harmanpreet Singh (25’, 56’) scoring a brace each while Vivek Sagar Prasad (16’) contributed one goal for India.

The first quarter saw France take the lead by means of a penalty corner conversion from Lucas Montecot (11’). India quickly equalised early in the second quarter after a field goal from Vivek Sagar Prasad (16’). Jugraj Singh (20’) then put India in the lead after converting a penalty corner before Captain Harmanpreet Singh (25’) doubled the lead through another penalty corner. France were soon awarded a penalty stroke and Etienne Tynevez (28’) scored to make full use of it as the score read 3-2 in favour of India at halftime.

France equalised late in the third quarter with a field goal from Gaspard Baumgarten (43’). With the score reading 3-3, both the teams tried to break through each other’s defence in the final quarter.

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France stole the lead through another penalty corner conversion by Etienne Tynevez (53’) but their joy was short-lived, as Harmanpreet Singh (56’) scored through a penalty corner to bring up his second goal. Jugraj Singh (60’) returned to score his second goal through yet another penalty corner as India went on to win 5-4 and end their tournament on a high.