In an exciting day of hockey in Bhubaneswar, the Indian women’s team outperformed expectations. They scored two goals from three penalty corners, leading them to a thrilling 3-2 victory over England. On the other hand, the men’s team faced a tough challenge, starting their campaign with a 1-3 loss to Spain.
Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, who played remarkably well, opened the scoring for India in the 6th minute. Following her play, Deepika extended the lead with a goal from a penalty corner in the 25th minute. England managed to tie the game late, thanks to goals from Darcy Bourne and Fiona Crackles. Just when it seemed like the match would end in a draw, vice-captain Navneet Kaur scored in the final minute to secure the win for India.
The match started strongly for India. Sunelita Toppo’s swift pass into the circle led to a penalty corner. Although Manisha Chauhan’s initial drag flick was deflected, Sushila Chanu was quick to react and set up Vaishnavi for the goal. Unfortunately, India’s early momentum waned when England scored a goal against the run of play. Vaishnavi lost possession in the circle, allowing Maddie Axford to capitalize, and Bourne netted the equalizer.
Deepika, who stepped up for the second penalty corner, made no mistake with her shot, showcasing her skills. Coach Harendra Singh is keen to develop her into one of the best corner specialists globally, and her recent performance suggests she’s on the right path.
Despite some lapses in focus, India regained control. Vaishnavi’s quick thinking prevented another England goal during a critical moment. Shortly after England equalized, she executed a clever assist for Navneet, who delivered a powerful shot that clinched the victory.
After the game, Harendra acknowledged the team’s effort, highlighting their resilience. He emphasized the need to maintain intensity moving forward, especially playing at home. “Despite the pressure, the team went for the win at 2-2 instead of playing defensively,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the men’s team struggled to maintain their lead after a strong start against Spain. They scored first when Harmanpreet Singh skillfully set up Sukhjeet Singh for a goal. However, Spain capitalized on their penalty corners, turning the tide in their favor.
“We need to work on finishing our chances,” Harmanpreet reflected after the match. Despite the setbacks, the first game back can serve as a learning experience as the team looks to improve in their upcoming matches.
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