Tokyo Olympics: Hockey Day 1, July 24 — India 1 - Netherlands 5 — Updates, score, results, blog

COMING UP - INDIA VS THE NETHERLANDS

Welcome to The Bridge's coverage of Field Hockey at the Tokyo Olympics.  The Indian girls take on the mighty Netherlands in their opener.

How will Rani Rampal and co fare?

Stay tuned for Live Updates

ALL SET FOR THE BIG AUSSIE GAME!!

The Indians kept their head and their cool in the sweltering heat and humidity of Tokyo after being stretched by an NZ side who very nearly forced a draw at the death.  Reid's boys will need to thank their veteran custodian for weathering the storm which means that India can now take on Australia with oodles of confidence.

WHAT A START! 🥳

The #MenInBlue go past the New Zealand barrier to register their first win of #Tokyo2020. 🇮🇳#NZLvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites pic.twitter.com/j8mWIMOpCN

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 24, 2021

MIXED NUMBERS THAT REFLECT A CLOSE CONTEST

25 CIRCLE PENETRATIONS FOR INDIA - 4 MORE THAN THE BLACK STICKS ALTHOUGH NZ HAD MORE OF THE BALL WITH 52% POSSESSION.

THE PC'S DID MATTER - AND HOW!!!

THREE POINTS IN THE BAG - DOESN'T MATTER HOW!!!

It's been a story of goals from set-pieces.  It's been a story of inconclusive referrals. It's been a story of grit writ large on the now smiling face of India's champion goalkeeper - Sreejesh!!!

INDIA SCRAMBLE HOME!!

Sreejesh keeps the flick out - the Indians survive the onslaught to earn 3 priceless points after a nerve-wracking final minute!!!!!!!

INDIA 3 - NZ 2

NO PC for NZ - WELL ANOTHER ACTUALLY!!!!!

India breathe easy as the Black Sticks do not get the PC with a minute left - NOT FOR LONG THOUGH AS A BRILLIANT RUN FROM INGLIS FORCES A PC - INDIA GO UPSTAIRS!!!

RUSSELL WANTS A REFERRAL - WHICH WAY WILL THIS GO???

NZ keep up the pressure - ask for a PC as the clock ticks down - the referrals however have been inconclusive on at least 3 occasions thus far!!

SREEJESH - THE WALL!!!!

Sreejesh - dependable as ever - keeps the PC out and uses his pads to keep out a strike from open play

PC FOR NZ STANDS - AND THEY HAVE ANOTHER

Manpreet blocks one - NZ have another PC