India vs New Zealand Hockey World Cup 2023 Highlights: India fail to qualify for quarter-finals, lose to New Zealand in penalty shootout

And New Zealand begin with an aerial into the Indian circle for their first foray, but easily foiled by Indian defence.

The Indian hockey team would like to emulate what happened in Raipur on Saturday. Albeit on an entirely different pitch altogether, an Indian team shocked the living daylights out of a team from New Zealand on home soil. It was the cricketers who did that on Saturday and the country would have its eyes on the men's hockey team to do something similar on Sunday here at the World Cup. The Indian campaign that started with getting the monkey off the back against New Zealand, followed by the game of inches against England and the demand of goals against Wales has reached the stage from where comebacks in the tournament are not possible. It's the knockout rounds and the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists find themselves pitted against New Zealand in the crossovers. The winner goes through to the quarterfinals and the loser is left to fight in the placement matches.

Defender Blair Tarrant, defensive midfielder Nick Ross and veteran striker Simon Child are New Zealand's key players. Penalty corner expert Kane Russell is yet to sound the board so far and would be gunning for goals. Sam Lana and Sam Hiha have scored two goals each in the tournament and they would look to add more.

Historically, the two sides had played 44 matches against each other and India had won 24 of them while losing 15. Five games were drawn. The last time New Zealand beat India was a 2-1 win in 2019.

Against a Wales team whom England and Spain had beaten 5-0 and 5-1, the Indians struggled to find goals as the forwards put up a poor show. The Indians simply failed to get their strategy right against Wales, who defended in numbers inside their own circle. The Indian defence, which had a clean sheet till then, conceded two goals against Wales, who are ranked 14th in the world.

Hardik's absence will be a big setback for India as they have been struggling in the attacking department, and considering the fact that they are expected to run into defending champions Belgium in the quarterfinals if they beat New Zealand. Hardik, who scored a brilliant solo goal in India's 2-0 win over Spain in the opening match, will be replaced by alternate player Raj Kumar Pal. He did not play against Wales.