The Indian ladies’s hockey group performed out a hard-fought 1-1 draw towards England in its opening match of the FIH World Cup on Sunday. England took the lead by way of Isabella Petter within the ninth minute earlier than Vandana Katariya equalised for India within the twenty eighth minute.
There was hardly something to distinguish between the 2 sides within the first two quarters as they matched one another stick for stick. The Indians had the primary shy on the objective as early as within the first minute within the type of a penalty nook, however they wasted the chance.
Minutes later, skipper Savita made a positive save in entrance of the objective to disclaim the English ladies. After a neck and neck battle it was England who took the lead by way of Petter who neatly deflecting in a ball from exterior the ‘D’.
India responded brilliantly and secured back-to-back penalty corners seconds later, however Gurjit Kaur was first denied by the submit after which by English goalkeeper Hinch. The Indians saved up their tempo and continued to press exhausting on the English defence and secured their third penalty nook within the seventeenth minute, however as soon as once more Gurjit faltered.
Three minutes later, Savita as soon as once more got here to India’s rescue to maintain her facet within the match. In the twenty eighth minute, India secured their fourth penalty nook when Vandana sounded the board from a rebound. India secured one other penalty nook simply on the stroke of half time, however as soon as once more, England goalkeeper Hinch made an excellent save.
England began brightly after the change of ends however it was India who managed a shot on the objective, solely to see Neha Goyal’s shot being saved by Hinch.
Thereafter, England dominated the remainder of the third quarter however didn’t translate their efforts into objectives.
The neck-and-neck battle between the 2 groups continued within the fourth and closing quarter however yielded no end result. In the 56th minute, India had a fantastic probability to surge forward however Sharmila Devi failed to attach from shut vary because the ball hit her foot.
Two minutes later, India secured one other penalty nook however as soon as once more wasted the chance to share factors.
India will play China of their subsequent Pool B match on Tuesday.
