The men’s hockey team lit up an otherwise gloomy opening day of competitions for India at the Rio Olympics on Friday as they broke a 12-year Olympics jinx by winning their opening group league encounter.
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The hockey team & rower Dattu Bhokanal, who made it to the quarter-finals in the men’s sculls, were the only bright spots as the contingent faced reversals in the shooting range, tennis court and table tennis.
The men’s hockey squad earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over minnows Ireland, taking part in the Games after 108 years, in pool B opener through penalty corner goals from Rupinderpal Singh, who struck twice, and V R Raghunath.
The hockey team will be up against Germany on Monday, 8 August at 1930 IST.