By Our Special Correspondent
The Indian women's hockey team found a tough nut to crack once again as they defeated their old nemesis England 1-3 in a Pool A round-robin match at the 2022 Commonwealth Games here on Tuesday.
The Indian team, which also lost to England in the bronze medal match of the Olympic Games, trailed 0-3 early before getting a lone consolation goal in the fourth quarter. Giselle Ansley (3'), Tess Howard (40') and Hannah Martin (53') provided goals for England, while Vandana Kataria (60') was the only scorer for India. The defeat means India are third in the group behind England (9 points) and Canada (6) on equal points with Canada, but third on goal difference.
The English team started the game aggressively and earned consecutive penalty corners in the second minute of the first quarter. A second penalty corner was converted by Giselle Ansley to give England a 1-0 lead in the third minute.
In the 12th minute, Salima delivered a brilliant ball and Vandana Kataria tried to put it on goal, but English goalkeeper Madeleine Hinch made a brilliant save. India was awarded a penalty corner in the last minute of the first quarter, but Gurjit Kaur could not find the equalizer.
Monica took a shot in the opening minutes of the second quarter, but unfortunately the ball went over the crossbar. In the 20th minute, the Indian team stormed into another circle, but the English defense unit stood firm and held off their opponents.
The Indian players kept up the pressure and won a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. Deep Grace took a hard shot, but goalkeeper Hinch made another excellent save. Navneet Kaur helped India earn another penalty corner in the 25th minute, but Gurjit could not break through the English defence. The Indian players continued to push for the equalizer, but England managed to hold on to their lead as the first half came to an end.
England rode the momentum and entered another circle in the 38th minute, but the Indian defense unit fought hard to keep the ball out of their goal. However, Sophie Hamilton delivered a brilliant through ball and Tess Howard turned it into a goal in the 40th minute to give England a 2-0 lead.
Salima had a shot in the 48th minute, but goalkeeper Hinch pushed the ball wide of the goal. In the 53rd minute, Hannah Martin converted a penalty corner and England extended their lead to 3-0. In the final minute of the match, India was awarded a penalty corner and Vandana Kataria headed the ball into the goal to ensure England did not leave the field with a clean sheet.
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