Ranchi: The Indian women’s hockey team lost 0-1 against the United States in its first match of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier 2024, which began on Saturday at the Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Marang Gomke, Ranchi. The only goal of the match was scored for America by Abigail Tamar (16th minute).
Both the teams started the match in a fast-paced and aggressive manner. While India made some early attacks in the circle in front of the home crowd and kept the ball in their possession. America, after a fast start, took control of the match. America maintained its dominance on ball possession from the beginning of the match. After this, America scored the first goal of the match with the help of its captain in the first quarter itself, but the goal was rejected due to interference by American player Elizabeth Agar and this brought a huge relief to India.
The competition between India and America was very tough in the first quarter. But both the teams could not score goals even after entering the circle. The Indian team created some chances at the penalty corner, but the team could not capitalize on it. After this the first quarter between the two teams remained goalless.
However, just one minute after the start of the second quarter, America recovered from the disappointment of the first goal and took a 1-0 lead and pushed India on the backfoot. This goal for America was scored by Abigail Tamar in the 16th minute. Tamer’s shot reached India’s experienced goalkeeper Savita. Although the Indian captain’s pad definitely hit the ball, she could not stop it from entering the goal between her pads.
India had a chance to make a comeback in the second quarter, when they got a penalty corner. After Deepika’s efforts, she got two more retakes, but it was thwarted by America. Even after this, India did not let the pressure overwhelm them and took the lead in the remaining minutes of the second quarter. A few minutes before the first quarter, India got a chance to take the lead when Udita combined with Neha to create a good chance. But American goalkeeper Kelsey Bing foiled Udita’s attempt.
A lot of action was seen in the third quarter. American player Brooke DeBerdeen was given a green card. Although India had a one-player advantage, its forward line was blocked by the US. In the next minutes, both India and USA had to play with 10 players due to green cards. After this, due to continuous pressure, the host team got three penalty corners but they could not convert them into goals.
After falling behind by one goal in the match, the last quarter became very important for India. After the start of the fourth quarter, Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke had to sit out for five minutes due to getting a yellow card. Trailing by one goal, the Indian team intensified its attacks and won its seventh penalty corner in the 48th minute. This time Navneet sent it into the net but this goal was declared invalid because the ball hit Jyoti’s leg and went inside.
In the next few minutes, the United States won three penalty corners but could not score. India has to play its next match against New Zealand on 14 January.
Earlier, former Asian Games champions Japan made a winning start to their tournament campaign by defeating Czech Republic 2-0. For Japan, Miyu Suzuki scored a penalty corner in the fourth minute and Shihori Oikawa scored the second goal in the 40th minute. Czech Republic goalkeeper Barbora Chechakova saved several goals in this match. Now on Sunday, Japan will face Germany while Czech Republic will face the challenge of Chile.
In the other match of the day, Germany defeated Chile 3-0. For Chile, Celine Oruz scored in the 7th minute, Jette Fleischutz in the 10th and Lisa Nolte in the 38th minute. At the same time, in the third match, New Zealand defeated Italy 3-0. For New Zealand, Davies Francis scored in the seventh and 51st minutes while Dickins Stephanie scored in the 53rd minute. All three goals from New Zealand came on penalty corners.