Thread by @FIH_Hockey

It's FIH Hockey Pro League action as @FF_Hockey take on @TheHockeyIndia. The French men get their 1st taste of #FIHProLeague action against the Olympic bronze medallists.
#FRAvIND #FIHProLeague @FF_Hockey @TheHockeyIndia
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Hear what @TheHockeyIndia captain @manpreetpawar07 has to say ahead of India's clash with #FIHPRoLeague debutants @FF_Hockey

#FIHProLeague #FRAvIND

We also spoke to @FF_Hockey's Etienne Tynevez ahead of their first #FIHProLeague game.

Here are the starting line-ups of France and India for their first of the two #FIHProLeague games at Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Match starts in less than 10 minutes.

It's a day of '1sts' today as @FF_Hockey play their first #FIHProLeague match and South Africa host their first FIH Pro League matches. Anthems are sung, let the hockey begin!
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@FF_Hockey @TheHockeyIndia
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Congratulations to Akashdeep Singh as he plays his 200th match for @TheHockeyIndia in this #FIHProLeague match v @FF_Hockey

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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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3' @TheHockeyIndia Sharma Nilakanta fires the ball over the French crossbar. Strong opening by the Olympic bronze medalists.

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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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As Annelize Rostron and Wanri Venter umpire this match, it is yet another first as this is the first time two female umpires have officiated a men's international.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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9' PC to @TheHockeyIndia a heavy tackle from Desgouillons leads to India's first opportunity
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Another India PC but chased down and France counter attack. India are working hard to get back and defend.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Midfield battle at the moment! First India, then France turnover play. Sreejesh brought into play to defend his goal as France make a quick break.

End of Q1. France 0-0 India. India started the stronger, but France worked into the game & their speedy style of counter attack could prove dangerous.
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@FF_Hockey
@TheHockeyIndia

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Q2 underway. India setting up a high press to pressure France early.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Chance for @TheHockeyIndia after slip by French defender. Goal keeper Arthur Thieffry shows great reaction save to keep the ball out.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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21' PC to India. Pressure from Mandeep and Nilakanta wins the team an opportunity.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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21' GOAL: Low shot to Thieffry's right gives Singh Harmanpreet his first goal of this season's FIH Pro League. France 0-1 India
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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24' PC to @TheHockeyIndia after a tough challenge from Charlet.
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@FF_Hockey

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24' GOAL France 0-2 Varun Kumar doubles India's lead.
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As we move towards half-time, France are under pressure at the moment as India are keeping the European side pinned into their defensive quarter.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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27' PC to France. Great work by Gaspard Baumgarten to draw the foul.
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@FF_Hockey

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Wow, what a counter attack by India. Defending the PC to scoring a goal in micro seconds. Scored by Shamsher to make it 3-0 to India
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Great save by Thieffry as India drive into the circle once more. France need this halftime break to gather their thoughts.
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End of Q2 France 0-3 India. Goals to Harmanpreet, Kumar and Shamsher. Some great saves by Thieffry to keep France in sight of their rivals.
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Q3 30' France 0-3 India
Half time reaction: 'The first quarter was tight and the boys held out. We had opportunities and we needed to score. But it was a good overall half. We now need to stay patient, none of the fancy stuff.' Graham Reid Head Coach to India.

Q3 32' GOAL France 0-4 India.
A lightning start to the second half as Mandeep thunders the ball in after a great pass by Manpreet.

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37' France 0-4 India. France putting their own pressure on India, but unable to find a way through this Indian defence.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Q3 41' GOAL. France 0-5 India. Akashdeep scores on his 200th appearance for @TheHockeyIndia

Q3 43' France 0-5 India. Charles Masson piling forward for France but again, India able to pick off the pass and move the ball to safety.
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Q3 44' France 0-5 India. Energetic from France as they continue to ask questions of the India defence. Down but not out!
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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End of Q3 France 0-5 India. A good 15 minutes for India, who are looking very clinical whenever they attack.

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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Q4 46' Green card for Gaspard Baumgarten. India has man advantage for next 2 minutes.
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Q4 48' France 0-5 India. PC to France

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Q4 48' France 0-5 India.
Save by Pathak Bahadur but France keep pressuring the India 'D'.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Q4 49' France 0-5 India.
Green card for Kumar, gives France a man advantage.

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@FF_Hockey

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Q4 52' France 0-5 India. Signs that France are working into the pace of the game as they continue to test the India defence.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Q4 52' France 0-5 India
Video referral: France looking for a PC but an infringement in the circle means it is a hit-out to India
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Q4 54' France 0-India 5
Lucky escape for France as India turn up the heat in the final minutes of this game.
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@FF_Hockey

@TheHockeyIndia

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Final score: France 0-5 India. Goals from man deep, Harmanpreet, Shamsher, Kumar and Akashdeep on his 200th appearance. Impressive from @TheHockeyIndia France will take big lessons from today.
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Final score France 0-5 India
Player of the Match, Akashdeep: 'That was a good team effort and a really good opener. For the rest of the matches we will put in a good effort and win.'
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Final score: France 0-5 India.
@FF_Hockey Victor Charlet: 'When you play the Olympic bronze medal winners it is always tough. We were shy at the start but by the end it was two-touch hockey. We are little but we want to do something big.'