Hockey: Indian Junior women start 3-nation tournament with a 2-0 win over NZ
Hockey: Indian Junior women start 3-nation tournament with a 2-0 win over NZ:Goals by Lalrindski and Prabhleen Kaur helped India Junior women's hockey team to make a winning start in the 3-nation tournament at Canberra on Wednesday. India defeated New Zealand 2-0. Earlier yesterday on the opening day of the tournament, New Zealand defeated hosts Australia 3-1 as Olivia Shannon (3’) and Hope Ralph (47’, 52’) scored for the visitors, with Australia’s Aisling Utri (50’) scoring her team’s only goal.
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Hockey: Indian Junior women start 3-nation tournament with a 2-0 win over NZ[/caption]
A solid Indian team started the match with an aggressive brand of hockey, pinning down the New Zealand side that had earlier defeated hosts Australia 3-1 in its first match on Tuesday. India’s dominance in the opening quarter saw it win an early penalty corner in the 3rd minute, but the resulting execution was just whiskers wide of the post. Constant pressure on the New Zealand defence in the opening quarter led to a golden opportunity for the visiting Indian team. It utilized its chance at the stroke of the quarter break with Forward Lalrindiki finding herself with enough space in front of goal to get her shot away. The 18-year-old Indian struck with a calculated strike to give her side an important, well-deserved lead.
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Hockey: Indian Junior women start 3-nation tournament with a 2-0 win over NZ[/caption]
However, New Zealand had a chance to score the equalizer early in the second quarter as they won themselves their first penalty corner but Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam positioned herself perfectly in front of goal to deny the opposition from scoring. The two teams battled for possession in the middle of the field but neither could create any firm chances, meaning India retained their one-goal advantage at the half-time break.
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Hockey: Indian Junior women start 3-nation tournament with a 2-0 win over NZ[/caption]
The third quarter was filled with some exciting chances for both the sides. First, it was the Indian team who were awarded two Penalty Corners at the start of the period. However, a shot off target and a brilliant save by New Zealand’s Goalkeeper Kelly Carline meant that India could not extend their lead. Having defended patiently, New Zealand also won themselves a Penalty Corner as end of the third quarter approached, but India’s defensive line, led by Goalkeeper Kharibam made sure that they protected its one-goal lead.
[caption id="attachment_366216" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hockey: Indian Junior women start 3-nation tournament with a 2-0 win over NZ[/caption]
The fourth quarter saw a similar story as New Zealand looked for the equalizer, while India were focused on extending their lead. Some close moments in the last 15 minutes saw India defend well against one more Penalty Corner in the 48th minute, and then win an opportunity to score from the execution in the 52nd minute. However, it was only in the last minute of the match, with 30 seconds remaining on the clock, that India were awarded yet another Penalty Corner. This time it was India’s Prabhleen Kaur who stepped up to take the drag-flick, and scored an exquisite goal to secure a 2-0 win for the Indian team.
-PTCNews
