Indian women down Kiwis
Harpreet Kaur Lamba
India pulled off a last-gasp win to make a strong start in the inaugural Lal Bahadur Shastri women’s Under-21 hockey four-nation tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Tuesday.
Edging past New Zealand 3-2 in their opening game, the Poonam Rani-led Indians played clean and attacking hockey, much to the delight of the handful of spectators.
The physical difference between the teams was apparent as they lined up for the national anthems. The Kiwis, with almost all of them standing close to 6 feet, were a towering presence, but the disparity was quickly nullified as the Indians played with authority.
Strikers Navjot Kaur and Anupa Barla were exemplary, setting up the opening goal in the 8th minute. Barla — fed by Navjot — dived and slapped the ball hard past rival goalkeeper Bridget Blackwood to set up the tempo.
A defensive lapse saw New Zealand equalise through Sian Fremaux in the 12th minute, before the hosts shot into the lead again a minute later through Anju Dhiman.
New Zealand resorted to man-to-man marking, but it failed to deter the hosts, who maintained their 2-1 lead till the first half.
Jaspreet Kaur and Neha Goyal were strong in the midfield and often had the Kiwi girls on the backfoot.
The second half was a different story. Sukhmani Virk had a busy time under the bar as the Kiwis presented a strong challenge and went all-out into attack. Tara Hall’s 43rd minute penalty corner conversion (2-2) threw the game wide open, with both the teams going on an attacking spree.
India earned a couple of penalty corners in the last five minutes, with Poonam coming good off a deflection two minutes from the hooter to round off a well-deserved win.
India now play Australia, who would be keen to notch up their first points, on Wednesday. The Hockeyroos — rated tournament favourites — were stunned 1-3 by Germany in the opening match of the tournament.