London, 9th June 2024: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team ended their FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 campaign with a 2-3 loss against Great Britain on Sunday. Lalremsiami (14′) and Navneet Kaur (23′) scored for India while Charlotte Watson (3′) and Grace Balsdon (56′, 58′) etched their name on the scoresheet for Great Britain. With this loss, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team have finished eighth in this FIH Pro League season, earning 8 points from 16 games.
Great Britain were quick to take the initiative of the game with Howard penetrating into the shooting circle through the right wing and passing to Watson who got the better of Savita to grant Great Britain an early lead. Great Britain pinned India back into their own half after the goal and went on to earn a penalty corner but the Indian backline remained strong. Towards the end of the quarter, India continued looking for an opening which resulted in a chance as Neha blazed into the shooting circle and unleashed a low drive which was deflected into goal by Lalremsiami. India went on to earn a penalty corner in the last minute but Udita’s attempt sailed just wide of the post as the first quarter ended with the score tied at 1-1.
In the second quarter Great Britain made two quick forays into the shooting circle but failed to score, India replied by earning penalty corners in quick succession, forcing Great Britain goalkeeper Jessica Buchanan into action. Halfway through the quarter, Baljeet Kaur unleashed a tomahawk from the top of the shooting circle which was turned into goal by Navneet Kaur to put India ahead in the game. With 5 minutes left in the quarter Great Britain earned another penalty corner but India defended well to end the first half 2-1 in their favour.
The third quarter began with India employing a high press as Mumtaz Khan won the ball high up the pitch and found Vandana Katariya free in the shooting circle, but Jessica Buchanan made a stunning close range save to deny Vandana. Eight minutes into the quarter Great Britain began pushing India into their half but Savita and the Indian backline were proactive to avert any danger to their goal.
Great Britain continued to push for an equaliser in the last quarter but a combative Indian Women’s Hockey Team diffused any threats to their goal with a structured defence. Great Britain’s pressure resulted in a penalty corner with five minutes left in the game but Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke rushed to swat away the shot on goal. They earned another penalty corner soon after and Grace Balsdon dragged it to the right corner of the goal to equalise. Great Britain pushed on in search of the winning goal and earned a penalty corner with 3 minutes left. Grace Balsdon stepped up again to power it past Savita to complete the comeback. India pushed to score the equaliser in the final minutes but failed to create a clear chance and lost the game 2-3.
About HOCKEY INDIA
HOCKEY INDIA (HI) is the governing body with exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women’s hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Hockey India was established on 20th May, 2009 and is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
Committed to the development of Hockey in the country, Hockey India with the assistance of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports, Government of India, trains players at sub-junior, junior and senior level. The governing body engages in Coaching the coaches with International Standard certification programs, educates and equips technical officials and umpires to find a foothold in international arena, provides world-class infrastructure and International exposure for the players besides regular international competition. Hockey India has also pioneered in bringing top International hockey events to India such as the FIH Men’s World Cup in 2010 and 2018, FIH Champions Trophy in 2014, FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016 and 2021, FIH Hockey World League Final in 2017. With its vision to popularize the game and constantly promote it, Hockey India brought the Indian Men’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world. Hockey India is also dedicated to getting the Indian Women’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world.
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