Deepika (55) of India tries to attain a purpose in the course of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers match between India and New Zealand, at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, in Ranchi, on Jan. 14, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI
India on Sunday rose from the ashes to tame New Zealand 3-1 with a spirited efficiency in their second pool match of the FIH Women’s Olympic Qualifier to maintain alive their hopes of securing a ticket to Paris Games.
The Indians, who dropped a rung to seventh in the world rankings launched on Saturday, didn’t have one of the best of begins in the match, shedding to lower-ranked United States 0-1 in their opening Pool B match.
In distinction, New Zealand registered a straightforward 3-0 win over Italy on Saturday.
But it was full turnover from the Indians on Sunday.
Leaving behind the USA disappointment, the Indians produced all-round hockey on Sunday and used each nook of the turf to construct their assaults with brief and crisp passes.
This was what India’s chief coach Janneke Schopman pointed after USA match and the women appeared to have attentively listened to the Dutch, which was evident from the team’s much-improved efficiency on Sunday.
Salima Tete had a superb recreation and was concerned in a lot of the Indian assaults together with her fast runs and dribbling talents.
India took the lead with their first assault inside 41 seconds of the match by a subject effort.
Sangita scored from shut vary after she was arrange by Salima Tete, who broke by New Zealand defence from the proper flank with a superb run.
Stunned by the purpose, the Black Sticks responded immediately and secured a penalty nook two minutes later however wasted the possibility.
India earned their first PC in the eighth minute however Deepika’s hit was blocked by a New Zealand defender. The ball fell in entrance of Baljeet Kaur’s stick standing close to the purpose however she didn’t get previous Black Sticks goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon.
The Indians’ ploy to fall again a bit after the early lead backfired as New Zealand secured one other penalty nook quickly and Hull this time transformed the possibility with a grounded shot to attract degree.
But New Zealand’s leveller appeared to have woken up the house team who pressed laborious and secured back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which was completely slammed into the web by Neha in the twelfth minute.
The Indians continued their attacking intent and earned their fourth penalty nook quickly however didn’t capitalise on the chance.
But a minute from the primary quarter, India tripled their lead by Neha. It was Jyoti who arrange the purpose, slicing contained in the circle from the proper aspect to cross it on to Neha, who did the remaining.
The Indians saved up the tempo and earned their fifth penalty nook seconds into the second quarter however Navneet Kaur’s try went extensive.
Udita was then responsible of conceding an pointless penalty nook, New Zealand’s third, quickly however India defended stoutly to maintain their lead intact at half-time.
Barring just a few blips, the Indian defence too was upto the mark on Sunday because it thwarted relentless strain from the Black Sticks after the change of ends.
New Zealand secured their fourth penalty nook in the fortieth minute however failed to interrupt the resolute Indian defence.
Lalremsiami quickly secured India’s sixth penalty nook with a high-quality run from the proper nook however Udita’s shot could not breach O’Hanlon.
The fourth quarter was all about New Zealand’s fixed strain on the Indian defence, which stood tall to disclaim any inroads to their opponents.
In between, the Indians additionally made just a few circle penetrations however lacked in execution.
The Indians conceded one other penalty nook two minutes from the ultimate hooter however New Zealand erred in execution.
USA are atop Pool B with two wins from as many video games with India climbing to the second spot.
India will play Italy in their ultimate pool match on Tuesday, whereas New Zealand will tackle USA.
