— Rohan Chowdhury, Rahul Giri (Rourkela)
Matchday 2 for India in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023. After the win against Spain, the mood was upbeat though it was not going to be an easy one against England.
The build-up to the game was good, with fans with higher expectations after the last game making it to the stadium. We got to meet ‘PK’, but this one from this World only, and cheering for India. You can find him in our pre match video:
A packed Birsa Munda stadium roots for India to beat England. The excitement is palpable.#HockeyWorldCup2023 @BoriaMajumdar @TheHockeyIndia @CMO_Odisha @Limca_Official @activolabs pic.twitter.com/LsD1JnGDDs
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) January 15, 2023
The fans met our expectations, leaving no seats empty and the cheers went off from the first minute of face-off.
The first quarter was dominated in the attack by a higher ranked English side with four penalty corners, but team India defended well to keep the score all-nil at the end of the first quarter.
India took control of the game in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. They were making serious inroads into England’s box whenever they got the ball. They came close to the goalscoring opportunity twice but lack of the final push kept India away from the goal. India got around four penalty corners but failed to convert any one of those. England’s goalkepeer had a few nervy moments but kept the score at all squares.
In the end it was an even contest and India didn’t allow England to dominate as many would have thought might happen.
As soon as the match ended we rushed to the stadium gate to get fans’ reactions and we were happy to see all positive vibes. The fans were happy, and cheered for the team saying they enjoyed the match and that India will get a big win the next day.
Fans applaud India’s gutsy defending. @TheRohan22 from outside the Birsa Munda Stadium. @BoriaMajumdar @TheHockeyIndia @sports_odisha #hockeyworldcup #hockeyindia #HWC2023 #HockeyWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/FI3v0shmga
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) January 15, 2023
So it was our last night in Rourkela and we will cherish the memories made here for a lifetime, because the first is always the unique one. The press box, the light show, the matches, the stadium ambience, everything was top notch.
We travel to Bhubaneswar today, to cover the rest of the tournament. And will keep sharing our experience. Do read. Best to team India.