BHUBANESWAR: India coach Graham Reid finally admitted penalty-corner conversions saying let the team down in the crucial crossover match against New Zealand.

“Obviously our penalty-corner conversions was off, but we also had a lot of circle penetrations that we couldn’t convert. We scored 3 goals today and 3-4 goals would normally be sufficient. We probably needed to be more in front and tighter in defence,” he said.

But despite twice having a two-goal lead, he blamed the entire team for allowing New Zealand to seize control. "Tonight we still produced enough to win. The issue was that every time we gained possession of the ball, we simply handed it back to him. When we turned the ball over shortly after winning it, they scored their second and third goals. This level prohibits you from doing that.

He concurred that the team committed peculiar errors and that a review was required.

"We committed errors that we don't typically make; we need to analyse them, discuss them, and find answers before our next game. Expectations and pressure must certainly be factors. We failed to live up to our potential tonight and lost the ball in the final frame. At the end of the day, it's still execution, therefore we probably need to start over.

Hockey WC: India pulls out Hardik Singh ahead of crucial crossover match

Hockey WC: India beat Wales 4-2 in Bhubaneswar

Hockey WC: Belgium, Germany play out 2-2 draw