S2H Team
India’s women’s team did an encore of their 2020 Tokyo Olympic win over Australia much to the ecstasy of thousands of their fans at Birsa Munda stadium in Rourkela on Saturday.
Befittingly, sharp-shooting forward Vandana Katariya struck the decisive blow in the 34th minute with a diving effort to Player-of-the-Match Navneet Kaur’s measured penalty corner hit that brought up her 93rd goal in 310 internationals and her country’s first win over the Aussies after the Tokyo Olympic quarterfinal epic where the 31-year-old livewire did much to haul the team to the semi-finals.
There were striking similarities between the two victories. A 1-0 scoreline, a resolute defensive effort to keep the Hockeyroos at bay in the final frenetic minutes of the game, and a victory against all odds.
After all, the Indian girls were beaten 3-0 in the first meeting between the two sides in the FIH Pro League last week. Then again, Australia are ranked third in the world, India distant ninth.
But it also made it poignant. For all the jubilation, the Indian Eves will be absent at the forthcoming Paris Olympics having failed to qualify at Ranchi last month. They have been battling hard to emerge from the devastation and rebuilding has been arduous. Furthermore, five losses in the current edition of the league have drawn cynicism and derision from all and sundry. Save perhaps from the legion of loyal supporters here in Odisha cheering the team at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar where the first mini-tournament was held before the entourage traveled to Rourkela in the hockey-passionate district of Sundergarh.
The team under the tutelage of Dutchwoman Janneke Schopman went down fighting 0-1 to current invincibles The Netherlands two days ago — a performance that may have done wonders to their confidence and perhaps spurred them on to an energetic start against a vaunted outfit coached by the legendary Katrina Powell.
India started the match with positive intent. They did the early running but it were the Aussies who took control by forcing a second-minute penalty corner which Monika saved on the goalline.
The proceedings were pacy as India went toe-to-toe with their opponents but as time elapsed, the Australians looked the most likely to score.
Alice Arnott struck the post amid a goalmouth melee as the Hockeyroos seemed to gain the upper hand in the first quarter, restricting the home side to a solitary moment in the first quarter when Sangita threatened from an acute angle.
India who have a serious drag-flicking paucity forced five penalty corners against the same number forced by Australia in the match.
Navneet was given PC executing duties and she endeavored to break the deadlock with her customary hit but from the first award in the 16th minute, she fired high and wide.
Action though, switched to the other end and another icon at Tokyo in the form of goalkeeper and captain Savita Punia saved her team with a block from Jane Claxton and repeated her heroics at the Aussies’ second PC shortly later.
Australia were knocking on the doors in a quarter they dominated but India very nearly scored against the run of play when Navneet drew Zoe Newman to a save with an effort from an acute angle.
Halftime approached with Australia circulating the ball, pressing India into their own half but the deadlock persisted.
The complexion of the match changed four minutes into the third quarter after India forced their second penalty corner. Navneet set up Vandana who responded spectacularly, finding an empty net with the goalkeeper grounded and the post-player out of position.
The goal seemed to help take India to a higher gear and shortly later Deepika drew Zoe Newman to a save with a firm drive from the top of the circle. The Australian custodian was tested again during India’s fourth penalty corner, with Navneet’s hit on target.
Australia forced two penalty corners but India’s defensive battery stood the test going into the final quarter.
India’s resolve to attack had the Australian defence stretched but a green card to Lalriamsami with three minutes left on the clock shifted the momentum.
Riding on numerical superiority, the Australians raided the Indian citadel. A referral to cancel a PC came as a relief to Savita and her defenders but one by the Aussies brought them their fifth and last PC after the Indian goalkeeper’s save was adjudged to have propelled the ball dangerously with just 30 seconds left.
India averted danger at the set piece and played the ball judiciously to run down the dying seconds and script history.
The Netherlands lead the nine-nation table with 33 points from 11 matches. China are second with 15 from eight, Australia third with 12 from seven, Argentina fourth with 11 from six and India occupy fifth spot with six from seven matches.
On Sunday, Australia take on The Netherlands at 1730IST, followed by India playing USA at 1930IST.