India's Impressive 3-1 Win Keeps Olympic Qualification Hopes Alive

By siliconindia  |  Monday, 15 January 2024, 12:33:10 PM IST

India's Impressive 3-1 Win Keeps Olympic Qualification Hopes Alive
India demonstrated a more cohesive and error-free performance, defeating New Zealand 3-1. Bouncing back from an initial loss, they preserved their semifinal chances and kept their Paris Olympics dream alive. Sangita Kumari opened the scoring in the 1st minute, Udita added another on her birthday in the 12th minute, and Beauty Dung Dung scored the third goal in a brilliant first quarter. Despite Megan Hull narrowing the margin for the Black Sticks, India maintained their momentum throughout the remaining three quarters, securing a morale-boosting victory in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro-Turf Hockey Stadium.
India dominated the match, enjoyed a 52% position, had 12 circle penetrations as compared to 14 by New Zealand, and had 11 shots at goal as compared to five by their opponents as they attacked and defended in numbers to score their first victory over New Zealand in regulation time. The Indians adopted a diamond formation with Lalremsiami as a lone attacker and Navneet Kaur at the heart of it with Sangita playing wide and along with the mercurial Salima Tete, creating room on the right flank to launch swift attacks. Udita also got a starring role in a strong back three with Nonika and Nikki Pradhan.
The initial attack saw Sangita Kumari scoring a fine goal from close range, catching the opponents off guard even before the players settled into their positions. This early goal in the first minute gave the hosts a 1-0 lead. Following that, Udita confidently executed a superb slapshot, extending the lead to 2-0 with precision past the goalkeeper.
New Zealand had a chance of a good counterattack but was denied by the Indian defence as the hosts led 3-1 at the end of the first quarter. They earned a penalty corner, their fourth of the match, but Udita's attempt at setting up Sangita for a deflecting did not materialize. The Black Sticks earned a penalty corner at the other end of the pitch a few minutes later when a forward was obstructed but Megal Hull's attempt was blocked by the first rusher.
The Indians initiated the game at a frantic pace, with the first quarter played at a lightning tempo. However, midway through the second quarter, the Black Sticks managed to slow down the game, and the tempo settled a notch in the final minutes of the first half. The hosts entered the halftime break with a 3-1 lead. The beginning of the third quarter saw the hosts starting a bit erratically, with Salima and Navneet making ineffective passes, often spraying the ball wide.
Despite the Indians missing a couple of opportunities, New Zealand secured their fourth penalty corner when Savita's block landed on a defender's body. However, an indirect variation from Frances Davies to Megan Hull behind her back was not executed perfectly, causing the Black Sticks to miss the chance. With less than two minutes remaining, New Zealand had a penalty opportunity, but it turned out to be a poor attempt as the Indians strategically let the clock run down, securing a morale-boosting victory.
Source: IANS

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