FIH Pro League: Women let one-goal advantage slip again, go down to China

Rourkela, February 12

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The Indian women’s hockey team’s disappointing run in the FIH Pro League continued as it lost 1-2 to China here today.

India took the lead in the seventh minute through Sangita Kumari’s field goal. Sangita gave the finishing touches to a Vandana Katariya cross from the left.

Just a minute before the end of the first quarter, though, China equalised through Gu Bingfeng’s drag-flick. Bingfeng smashed the ball through India captain and goalkeeper Savita Punia’s pads.

The next two quarters did not produce any goal. Both teams came close to taking the lead on numerous occasions but it was China who struck their second goal after being awarded a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute. Bingfeng stepped up to take the penalty stroke and made no mistake as the Chinese had their noses in front.

India were awarded two successive penalty corners in the 55th minute but the Chinese defence kept the ball out on both occasions.

India earned five penalty corners in the match — as against four by China — but as is their wont, they could not convert a single one.

India had lost to China by the same margin in their earlier match in Bhubaneswar. India had also lost to the Netherlands (1-3) and Australia (0-3) before beating USA 3-1.

India face Netherlands in their next match here on Wednesday. Earlier today, Netherlands hammered USA 4-0.