Indian gamers have fun after scoring the opener in opposition to China within the Hockey FIH Pro League women’s match on the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
Indian women started their FIH Pro League 2023-24 campaign on a shedding observe, taking place 2-1 to China on the Kalinga Stadium right here on Saturday.
This was India’s first loss within the Pro League to the Chinese in three video games. India took the lead within the fifteenth minute by way of a diving deflection by Vandana Katariya that proved why she is rated so extremely and was missed a lot through the Olympic Qualifiers lately.
But an excellent slap shot by Wen Dan within the fortieth minute and a penalty nook rebound purpose by veteran Bingfeng Gu noticed China stroll away with three factors.
The Chinese clearly have been the extra disciplined aspect each in assault and defence, controlling the tempo and the house of the sport. India had its probabilities, however its efforts have been off-target typically and there was a transparent lack of coordination between the gamers.
Besides Vandana, the staff additionally noticed the return of Sharmila Devi and Gurjit Kaur to the aspect, alongside with the addition of Mumtaz Khan from the Hockey5s World Cup squad.
China gamers have fun after scoring the second purpose in opposition to India within the Hockey FIH Pro League women’s match on the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, on Sarurday, February 3, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT
But the host struggled to discover a well beyond the tight Chinese defence. It was left wanting in its efforts on the again regardless of some determined saves by Savita and the quiet brilliance of Ishika Chaudhary each throughout PC defence and in open play.
In the day’s different sport, the Paul van Ass-coached Netherlands staff ran riot in opposition to the USA, profitable 7-0 with Pien Dicke scoring 4, to ship out a transparent sign to the opposite groups.
The Dutch women, unbeaten in 5 video games this season, ran circles across the USA defence, controlling the sport with out conceding house or probabilities.
The outcomes: Netherlands 7 (Pien Dicke 4, Yibbi Jansen 2, Luna Fokke) bt USA 0; China 2 (Wen Dan, Bingfeng Gu) bt India 1 (Vandana Katariya).
