Indian girls raised their bar for once to win a crucial match against Italy 3-0 today in the cross over match to make it to the quarterfinal of the World Cup in London. India will now meet Ireland in the quarters. For the losing side, which beat two Asians in the pool stage, today was not their day. Their inexperience against vastly competitive India, showed. All that Italy could manage today was merely a penalty corner, which Indian defence easily defended.
Its experienced stars Rani and Vandana’s day even as youngster in the team Lalramsiami struck the opener in the first quarter.
With hawkish eye, wonderful stick work, captain Rani Rampal proved to be thorn in the flesh of otherwise strong Italy defenece. She was instrumental in getting two of the six penalty corners, and then almost scored a goal after stealing the ball from a struggling defender at the top edge of the circle, but only swung the stick in the air unfortunately.
Shortly later Vandana too missed a sitter, swinging the stick in the air in front of the goal. However, she made two goals subsequently.
Despite poor game from Navneet at the right flank, Lalream, Rani, Navjot Kaur compensated in a big way to keep the tempo on high pitch.
Despite Naveent twice and Vandana once missing what looked a easy chances, Neha Goyal retrieved the ball struck below the falling goal keeper to flick it into the net. The umpire ordered a self referral to confirm the goal.
India now is 2-0 at the close of third quarter, the sequence of goal starting from an excellently manufactured penalty corner.
Six minutes before Vandana did the Neha act to enlarge the lead to 3-0, and thus qualified for the quarterfinal.
“First time my team played as the way they should. Their structure and game is fine. We did not play very good, but structure is good. There is always more pressure in India, more for men than for women, as I had opportunity to be with both teams”, said jubilant coach Sojerd Marinje after the match.
“Nobody expected much from us. This is such a good moment for women in general in India that they send a good message back home that they can also. They are in the camp for almost 365 days, and are away from home. I am happy they did get some reward now.”
“We played well against England and USA also, and hope to continue the good show further”.
“We lost last two encounters to Ireland. Now its rest time for my girls. I hope we will be third time lucky against the Irish team. We have to score to win, hopefully it will be our match two days later in the quarters”.
Confident coach Sojerd Marinje signed off.