HAWKES BAY CUP 2016 UPDATE

India Match No.2 Date: 5.04.2016

India lose a thriller to China at Hawke’s Bay Cup

Despite taking lead, Indian eves conceded a goal late to lose to China 1-2 in the Hawkes Bay Cup

After even first quarter, India came to life in the early stage of second quarter. Rani scored off a swiftly worked counter from the right, giving India the lead in the 19th minute. China immediately hit back, and won a penalty corner, save came from young goalie Savita so as to ensure India went into the break with their lead intact.

The third quarter saw resolute defending from India, as China controlled most of the possession. Monika in particular was very good at marshalling the defence and dropping deep to ensure the numbers denied China openings for goal. With the last play of the quarter though, China scored the equaliser through Yu Qian.

The final quarter saw several chances fall for both teams as they tried to take full points. Deepika, took charge and had a couple of half chances that went wide of the post. Wang Mengyu scored the winner for China through a penalty corner just five minutes left for the hooter.

Speaking after the game, Coach CR Kumar said, “We gave a tough game today to a team that are higher ranked than us. Crucial mistakes at the end of the final quarters denied us the points. Our defence was secure, but we now need to focus on getting the ball upfield quicker to score goals.”

India play Japan in their quarterfinal game on 7th April, 2016.

BRIEF: The 2016 Hawke’s Bay Cup is an invitational 8-Nation women tournament, held between April 2-10 as part of the festival of hockey in New Zealand. The venue for the three-year-old event, is the stunning Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings. For the 2016 tournament, the eight participating nations are Australia, Canada, China, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. Today’s matches saw Japan beat Korea, Australia defeat Canada and China edge past India. The final group game will see hosts New Zealand take on Ireland.

HAWKES BAY CUP UPDATE
India Match No.1 Date: 02.04.2016

INDIA LOSE THE OPENER TO THE HOSTS

India’s opening match against the hosts started with their rival attacking relentlessly from the word go. India however managed to save two penalty corners of the hosts, and remained nil.
Indian goalie savita also saved a stroke in the firs quarter.

New Zealand took the lead through an Olivia Merry field goal at the beginning of the second quarter.

Forced to defend deep, India played the waiting game, as New Zealand kept them pressed back in their own half for a large portion of the first half, and they went into the break trailing the hosts 1-0.

Indian goalkeeper Savita, who was always going to be put under pressure in the high voltage encounter, rose to the occasion, denying New Zealand several times through the game, and ensuring India were always had a chance to come back. In the last quarter particularly, Savita’s saves from six New Zealand attempts put the pressure on the hosts to close the match out. New Zealand’s last PC of the game, defended superbly meant there was no change to the score, as the points went to the hosts.

Speaking after the match, Chief Coach Neil Hawgood applauded his goalkeeper’s performance. “In such pressure games, against higher ranked opponents, who also happen to be the hosts, it is important that your goalkeepers have a world-class game. Despite the loss, we can see positives in our performance in defence and in goal. This was arguably the toughest match of our group stage and now we can build forward for our next encounters.”

INDIAN TEAM

GOALKEEPERS: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu

DEFENDERS: Deep Grace Ekka, Deepika (Captain), Sunita Lakra, sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (Vice Captain)
Lalruatfeli, Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan

MIDFIELDERS: Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Preeti Dubey

FORWARDS: Rani Ramphal, Poonam Rani, Vandana Kataria, Anuradha Devi Thokchom, Sonika