Bhavdeep Virdi is an ardent hockey fan. The active member of Cambridge South Club in England,drove all the way from Cambridge to Lee Valley to see Indian women in action at the World Cup, and today’s match against Ireland did not disappoint him. He attributes India’s defeat today to ‘fantastic goalkeeping from the winner’s goalie’.

His take: “Indian ladies played their heart out. They looked physically fitter and created many scoring opportunities.

Look at how many goals the Irish goalkeeper saved and how many did the Indian goalkeeper need to save”.

“The Indian players were robbed of victory today because of the phenomenal Irish keeper. She saved 4-5 point blank range goal and one of their defenders stopped a goal on the line”.

“All and all, of you see Indian team used to lose 4-0, 5-0; now they are fighting, challenging others”.

“Neha Goyal, Vandana Kataria and captain Rani Rampal were exceptional today”.

“Looked like every time they had the ball they would get into the striking circle!”

Irish were playing the long ball game, but that is fine; Indian defenders and keepers were able to stop them”.

“Indian coach is good, I firmly believe so”.

“He should be given long time, upto next Asian Games in 2024 for getting us good results”.

May be that India could create 2.3 drag flickers in future rather than just one in Jasjit Kaur”.

“Monika was outstanding in the midfield, and vastly noticeable”.

“Over all sad about the result but happy about performance of today”.