FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers: India stay alive in race for Paris 2024 with 3-1 win over New Zealand

Goals from Sangita, Udita and Beauty helped India clinch a crucial 3-1 win over New Zealand in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Pool B match in Ranchi on Sunday. India had come into the game following a 0-1 defeat to United States of America on Saturday, and this was a must-win game for Savita Punia and Co. Meanwhile, New Zealand were coming off a 3-0 win over Italy in their fist game, but looked listless against India. Leaving behind the USA disappointment, the Indians produced all-round hockey on Sunday and used every corner of the turf to build their attacks with short and crisp passes. This was what India’s chief coach Janneke Schopman pointed after USA match and the girls seemed to have attentively listened to the Dutch, which was evident from the team’s much-improved performance on Sunday. Salima Tete had a brilliant game and was involved in most of the Indian attacks with her quick runs and dribbling abilities. India took the lead with their first attack within 41 seconds of the match through a field effort. Sangita scored from close range after she was set up by Salima Tete, who broke through New Zealand defence from the right flank with a brilliant run. Stunned by the goal, the Black Sticks responded instantly and secured a penalty corner two minutes later but wasted the chance. India earned their first PC in the 8th minute but Deepika’s hit was blocked by a New Zealand defender. The ball fell in front of Baljeet Kaur’s stick standing near the goal but she failed to get past Black Sticks goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon. The Indians’ ploy to fall back a bit after the early lead backfired as New Zealand secured another penalty corner soon and Hull this time converted the chance with a grounded shot to draw level. But New Zealand’s leveller seemed to have woken up the home team who pressed hard and secured back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which was perfectly slammed into the net by Neha in the 12th minute. The Indians continued their attacking intent and earned their fourth penalty corner soon but failed to capitalise on the opportunity. But a minute from the first quarter, India tripled their lead through Neha. It was Jyoti who set up the goal, cutting inside the circle from the right side to pass it on to Neha, who did the rest. The Indians kept up the tempo and earned their fifth penalty corner seconds into the second quarter but Navneet Kaur’s attempt went wide. Udita was then guilty of conceding an unnecessary penalty corner, New Zealand’s third, soon but India defended stoutly to keep their lead intact at half-time. Barring a few blips, the Indian defence too was upto the mark on Sunday as it thwarted relentless pressure from the Black Sticks after the change of ends. New Zealand secured their fourth penalty corner in the 40th minute but failed to break the resolute Indian defence. Lalremsiami soon secured India’s sixth penalty corner with a fine run from the right corner but Udita’s shot couldn’t breach O’Hanlon. The fourth quarter was all about New Zealand’s constant pressure on the Indian defence, which stood tall to deny any inroads to their opponents.Sangita In between, the Indians also made a few circle penetrations but lacked in execution. The Indians conceded another penalty corner two minutes from the final hooter but New Zealand erred in execution. USA are atop Pool B with two wins from as many games with India climbing to the second spot. India will play Italy in their final pool match on Tuesday, while New Zealand will take on USA. With PTI inputs