Rourkela, Feb 18:
The Indian women’s hockey team registered its second victory in the FIH Pro League 2023-24 with a 1-0 win over Australia at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday.
Vandana Katariya’s clever deflection off a penalty corner in the 34th minute was enough to give the Indian women, ranked ninth, their first win over three-time Olympic champions Australia, world No. 3, on home soil.
Of the seven matches India has played in this tournament, they have managed only two victories. The other win came against the USA in Bhubaneswar earlier this month.
The Australian forwards kept the Indian defence busy in the first half creating a number of goal-scoring chances. Indian captain and goalkeeper Savita Punia, however, kept her team from conceding with some brilliant saves.
In the 13th minute, Monika’s mistake at the top of the Indian circle almost gave the visitors their first break. But the Aussie forwards were too slow to react and gave enough time to Monika to make amends.
Ambrosia Malone missed an easy opportunity to put world No. 3 Australia in the lead in the 22nd minute after she failed to connect with captain Stewart Grace’s hit from right. The first-half ended goalless.
India were visibly better in the second-half. Just four minutes into the third quarter, Vandana earned a penalty corner for India. The Indian battery went for a variation and Vandana was at the end of the move to deflect it in.
A minute later, Deepika took a powerful hit from the top of the circle but Australian goalkeeper Zoe Newman intervened to keep India from extending their lead.
Throughout the fourth quarter, the Indian midfield soaked in most of the Australian pressure and helped their defenders protect the slender lead. India did face some anxious moments in the dying seconds of the match but an alert Savita was on her toes to snuff out the Aussie cavalry charge.
The Indian women’s hockey team will play the USA next in the FIH Pro League 2023-24 on Sunday.
