Amstelveen (Netherlands), 03 July 2022: The IndianWomen's Hockey Team and England lived up to the billing as they produced ahigh-voltage campaign opener in their pool B match here at the prestigious FIHWomen's Hockey World Cup Spain and Netherlands in the packed Wenger HockeyStadium, Amstelveen on Sunday. Goals were scored by Isabelle Petter (9') andVandana Katariya (28') as they helped their respective teams add on a crucialpoint on the pool table.
Both teams got off to a rollicking start pushing eachother for ball possession and creating space in each other's circle. Englanddrew the first blood when their striker took a fierce shot on goal but an alertSavita averted early danger with a diving save only minutes into the firstquarter. But England were successful in their second attempt when theirexperienced player Lily Owsley with a total of 182 international caps, set upIsabelle Petter with a fine assist. Petter sent the ball high, pocketing thetop of the net to fetch England that much needed 1-0 lead in the 9th minute toput pressure on India.
Determined to stay on-par with England in the game, Indiakept their calm and worked on their strategy to create chances in the circle.They were awarded a PC in the following minutes, but missed the goal by amargin as Gurjit Kaur's dragflick bounced off the goal post. Despite missingout on a goal, India remained patient in their approach, building on a goodstructure and when they were awarded a PC for foot-foul in the 28th minute,experienced striker Vandana Katariya picked up a splendid rebound off Englandgoalie Maddie Hinge's pads after Monika had taken a shot from the PC. She deflected the ball perfectly past Hingeto earn India the equaliser and keep the game open in the second half of thematch.
Coming back from the ten-minute break, feeling pumped upIndia upped the pressure on England with potent attacks. They played withspeed, and dominated the ball possession but England's defence was rock solidwith their experienced custodian Maddie Hinge up to the challenge, making somefine saves and guiding her team's defence from the back.
With no goals scored in the third quarter, the match wentdown to the wire as both teams fought hard for that elusive lead. ThoughEngland created a couple of chances in the D with shots on goal, they were offtarget on most occasions. India could have extended the lead in the 56th minutewhen Neha and Navjot worked inside the D to help Sharmila find a deflection.But Sharmila unfortunately could not get her stick on the ball, thus missingout on a great opportunity. With less than four minutes for the final hooter,the game continued to remain tense when Monika won India's seventh PC of thematch. However, the team couldn't make much out of the chance with a slowexecution of the PC battery and once again England putting up a fine PC defencewith Hinge leading the charge. A goodvideo referral by India in the following minute ensured England were denied aPC. The next few seconds, England dominated the ball but couldn't make much ofit, ending the match in a draw.
Earlier in the day, China drew 2-2 against New Zealand inthe pool B match, keeping the pool open.
On 5th July, India will take on China in their secondpool B match at 2000 hrs IST.
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