Indian girls have created history: they reached the finals of the Qualifier here in Delhi.
This is for the first time India reached the finals of Any major FIH tournament in their long international history.
Of course India won the gold in the Champions Challenge II in Kazan two summers ago, but that was a level III event.
Indian girls today defeated fighting Italy 1-0 in their last pool match.
Ritu Rani, who has been outstanding in her ability to make moves, created India’s sixth penalty corner, and then saw to it her effort is not wasted. She bounced on to the rebound, which was menacingly high, to give India the eluding lead in the 55th minute, and then the girls hung on to it till the final whistle — for their moment of joy.
But the goings were not easy.
Italy was aiming for their third draw to reach the final. As any country that would require draw would play defensively, the Italians were no different. They did the same, and had their chances too.
Like India they got six penalty corners, the fifth one when just 3 min and 20 sec left. Indian defence stood tall, and the ball was tucked into the goalie’s body and another penalty corner, the sixth and last for India.
Saundarya Yandala charged on time, and then Subhaddra Pradhan cleared the danger.
Earlier, India had its chances in the first half, but the finish was not there. Poonam Rani, the wonderful youngster, a delightful runner with the ball, however missed one, another one by usually hawkish Rani.
India had to deploy extra-ordinary defensive tactics, which they did.
It was therefore appropriate a defender — Joydeep Kaur — was declared the best player of the match. She was all beaming in the press meet.
Pic Caption: Ritu Rani sending a pass confidently