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Following an explosive start to the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup yesterday, the hockey lovers throughout the world were tuned in to the action that would open on the 2nd day of the tournament.
While Pool C opened its campaign yesterday, with hosts India mauling South Africa by 5-0, a rarity for any host's opening match in the history, teams of Pool A opened their campaign tonight with Olympic champions Argentina playing against Spain, while New Zealand played against France.
Argentina had to literally sweat it out against Spain for a win, when Gonzalo Peillat scored the penultimate goal in the 49th minute to break the tussle, making Argentina win by 4-3. This match was a relishing experience in classic hockey, with none of the teams ready to budge even an inch.
However, the match between New Zealand and France proved that this edition of the Hockey World Cup is no cringe-fest. France, who are ranked 20th in the world and have made it to this World Cup after 28 long years, gave a tough fight to New Zealand, who despite having secured an impressive lead in the 16th minute, had to literally sweat it out for the second goal.
For a while, it looked as if France would make a historic draw against New Zealand, had Stephen Jenness not come to New Zealand's rescue. The lone goal of France was mere consolation for the team. However, this also served a tough lesson to New Zealand, who need to buck up if they wish to proceed to the quarterfinals, or at least have an easier draw in the crossovers.
The match between New Zealand and France was a winner in many aspects. From nail-biting hockey to brilliant saves by the French goalkeeper, who literally forced the Black Sticks to sweat it out for a win, there are many heroes of this match. Following are 3 of those heroes who stood out in the match between New Zealand and France:-
#3 Kane Russell
This lanky drag-flicker of Maori descent, who was one of the key players behind New Zealand's dream run at the Commonwealth Games, where they won a silver medal after 16 long years, proved once again as to why he is the go-to man for New Zealand in any major tournament.
Despite missing out on the drag flick, Kane Russell didn't leave hold of the ball at all and shot it back on the rebound into the field goal, giving New Zealand the crucial lead, that was sustained miraculously till the dying minutes of the match.
However, his aggression on the field took a nasty turn, when he indulged rather too aggressively with some of the French players and was shown a green card as a warning. Despite the green card, it was Kane Russell's opening goal that kept the momentum of New Zealand, even as they faced stiff opposition from the French team.
#2 Stephen Jenness
It was only due to this young forward's superb field goal in the 56th minute of the game, that New Zealand managed to breathe a sigh of relief in the final quarter of the match.
One of the three goalscorers who denied the Indian team a third consecutive final at the Commonwealth Games, and subsequently a place on the podium, Stephen Jenness broke the French resistance to find the goalpost and strike the winning goal for his team.
Despite being a frontrunner for New Zealand, the resistance that he received from the French players was enough to make any player in his place lose his cool. However, one must appreciate Stephen for not losing his momentum and continuing to mount the attacks, which finally found success in the dying minutes of the game.
As the World Cup further progresses, the mantle to see New Zealand through the pool stage into either the quarterfinals or at least an easy draw in the crossovers will rest on the shoulders of this brilliant forward.
#1 Arthur Thieffry
The real star of the match, however, was the goalkeeper for France, Arthur Thieffry. He was the major reason why New Zealand had to sweat it out for a simple win against the French team, and despite the loss, avoided a drubbing on the lines of what India meted out to South Africa.
For two whole quarters, despite multiple chances being made against the French team, Arthur stood solid as a rock, denying New Zealand any breakthrough. His skills reminded the home crowd of Edgar Reynaud, who had propelled France to a historic final with his brilliant saves in the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup in 2013, even though the venue was New Delhi.
It was only in the 56th minute that Arthur finally gave in to Stephen Jenness's brilliant field goal. Had that not been the case, Arthur would've single-handedly propelled France to a historic draw against New Zealand, given that this is France's first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
