The Indian women’s hockey team failed to impress in their first real Test of the Commonwealth Games after losing 1-3 to England in a Pool A match in Birmingham on Tuesday.
England found the opening goal after Giselle Ainsley (3rd minute) deflected the Indian goal from a penalty corner. Tess Howard made it 2–0 in the third quarter (40th), before Hannah Martin scored the team’s third in the fourth and final quarter (53rd).
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With a few seconds to go for the final hooter, India Scored a consolation goal via Vandana Katariya (60th) via a deflection from the penalty corner.
To put pressure on India, the home team got off to a strong start, made quick moves and dominated possession.
England got a penalty corner in the second minute of the match. They couldn’t make that count but capitalized on the next one they got immediately after the first.
Buoyed by an early goal, England continued to dominate their possession, while trying to put pressure on the tourists with back-to-back attempts from close range.
India defended in numbers, but the midfield looked a bit rusty and under the pump amid England’s relentless attack at the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre.
The Indians regrouped after a sluggish first quarter but failed to achieve the target.
As the second quarter began, the Indians took a shot at the opposition goal and looked on the offensive. The second quarter ended with a stalemate in which England held the lead and India continued their quest for a draw.
India did better in the second quarter, but they struggled to get past Madeleine Hinch, who was in the middle of an excellent game before the referee blew the halftime whistle.
The Indians failed to get the net despite their confidence and aggression, it had a lot to do with the performance of England goalkeeper Hinch. Even his sloppy game in the last third could not help the Indians.
Even as India looked desperate to equalize, it was the home team that scored again, extending their lead and making it 2-0 in the third quarter.
The second goal was the result of great England teamwork as Hannah Martin provided a full assist to Tess Howard who deflected the ball into the Indian goal.
England received a penalty in less than nine minutes, and Martin overtook Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia for the home team’s third goal.
It was disappointing for India who entered the match with revenge on their mind as England denied them a podium finish after beating them 6-0 in the bronze medal match in the 2018 CWG edition.
This is also the same English team, which defeated India 4-3 in the bronze medal play-off match at the Tokyo Olympics last year to sabotage their medal hopes.
Prior to this outing, the Indians had registered a 5–0 win over Ghana and 3–1 against Wales in their first two Pool A matches.
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