India scores first pool match in three World Cups

By defeating Japan 2-0 on Sunday, the Indian ladies have made a small record of sort. This was the first victory in pool stage for India in three World Cups. In 1998 and 2006, India did not win a match in the pool.

After losing thee matches in trot, Indian girls today woke up to mark a victory over their traditional rival Japan.

This victory took India two steps ahead in the pool, well ahead of New Zealand and Japan, who are winless after four matches. India is now fourth in the pool behind Australia, Netherlands and Germany.

Shahbad girls Rani Ramphal and Jasjeet Kaur scored a goal piece in each half respectively to outwit the Japanese. It was India’s first win at Rossario in four matches, while Japan lost all the four.

India will take on New Zealand, who have also last all the four matches so far.

Rani Ramphal, easily the best of the lot on the turf today, bounced on to a centre near the top of the circle, and effected a hard push from near top of the circle, that diagonally reached home in the 14th minutes.

Thereafter, after surviving spells of attack spearheaded by Kaori Chiba in her third World Cup, Jasjeet’s low drag flick gave India the other goal. It was in the second half.

About 20 minutes thereafter Japan unleashed many attacks, even earning two penalty corners more than India’s four, but Binita Toppo, Kirandeep and Subadhra Pradhan in the rear saw off the danger.

While the youngest in the team was her best, captain Surinder was pale shadow of herself, turning to be a passenger in the little time she was fielded by emergency coach Sandeep Somesh.

On the wing, Saba, easily one of the experienced in the side too was pedestrian. Chanchal, Soundarya Yendala – she was played only briefly – Monika Pardan showed glimpses of class.