Hockey: Mandeep's brace helps India fend off Russian scare

Indian men's hockey team came out of ir slumber and complacency at right time to register 4-2 victory over lowly ranked Russia in first of two-legged Olympic qualifier being played at Bhubaneshwar's Kalinga Stium on Friday night. Mandeep Singh scored a brace to script victory though t so convincing as Russia kept 56 percent of ball possession and played more aggressively than Indians. India w needs to eir win draw or lose by less than 2-goal difference in second & final leg at same venue on Saturday night to qualify for Tokyo Olympics next year.

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India's Sluggish Start

India started match rar sluggishly allowing Russia to play freely and worrying part was visiting team having 56 percent of ball possession India relied heavily on counter-attack mode and almost mand to score early in first quarter as move was foiled by a brilliant save from Russian goalkeeper. India took a review soon after Mandeep was stopped "illegally." TV umpire ruled in India's favor and asked referee to award India a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet me most of penalty stroke by putting it past Russian goalkeeper to give India an early le. Russia started second quarter in tremendous style as y score an early goal to cancel out Harmanpreet Singh's opening goal. India quickly got into le as Mandeep Singh scored in 24th minute of match to restore India's one-goal le. 

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At half-time, India led 2-1

third quarter ends goalless and India still le by just one goal as scoreline remains at 2-1. Sunil scored early in fourth quarter to extend India's le to two goals followed by Mandeep Singh field goal as India led 4-1. Russia pulled one goal back in final minute of match with a final scoreline of 4-2.

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