Women’s Hockey World Cup: India hold England to a draw

The Indian Women’s hockey team held England to a 1-1 draw in its opening match of the FIH Pool B Women’s Hockey World Cup at the Wagener Stadium in the Netherlands.

India received an opportunity to take an early lead in the first minute but could not convert it into a goal.

It was England’s turn as they almost secured a goal but India’s goalkeeper and skipped Savita saved the day for her team.

England scored the first goal of the match in the ninth minute through Isabella Petter. India did not buckle under pressure and responded well by securing two back-to-back penalty corners.

Gurjit Kaur came agonisingly close to a goal in her first attempt, but it bounced off the post. Her second attempt was failed by the England goalkeeper Maddie Hinch. India managed to secure another penalty corner in the 17th minute, but Gurjit could not translate it to a goal.

In the 20th minute, England attempted to fetch the second goal, but Savita again rose to the challenge and denied England the chance to double the lead.

However, Vandana Katariya brought India back to the contest with a goal in the 27th minute as she converted the penalty corner into a goal.

India had another shot at goal when Neha Goyle stunned the opponents with a brilliant reverse hit. But, the goalkeeper Maddie Hinch came to England’s rescue with a fantastic save.

Navjot got a green card in the 48th minute as she played the ball after the whistle. Gurjit was the second player to receive the green card. She was shown the green card in the 51st minute, and India was down to 10 players again.

In the 56th minute, India received a golden chance to surge past England, but Sharmila Devi could not connect the stick with the ball as it hit her feet. India secured another penalty corner in the 58th minute but squandered the chance. Both teams failed to produce a lead before the final whistle, and the match ended in a draw.