NEW DELHI: India began their Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Paris Olympics silver medallists China on Sunday, twice taking the lead before being forced to settle for a point at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.Navneet Kaur gave India an early lead before Zhang Ying equalised from a penalty stroke in the dying seconds of the opening quarter. Deepika then restored India’s advantage through a penalty corner in the second quarter, but Ma Ning levelled the contest in the third as China took control of proceedings.China dominated large periods of the second half and came close to completing the comeback, particularly in the closing stages. India, however, managed to withstand the pressure and secure a valuable point against the highest-ranked side in Pool D.As it happened:India vs China, Hockey World Cup
India make bright start, take lead
India began with confidence and looked the sharper side in the opening exchanges, enjoying more possession and making repeated incursions into the Chinese circle.Their early pressure was rewarded in the eighth minute when Navneet scored from the top of the circle. India had been building promising moves and were rewarded for their positive approach as Navneet reacted quickest to put them ahead.China gradually increased the tempo after conceding and began creating problems for the Indian defence.The pressure eventually told in the dying seconds of the first quarter. Shilpi was penalised for a push inside the circle, prompting India to review the decision as they believed she had been pushed by Zhong Jiaqi. The TV umpire upheld the on-field call, leaving India without their review.Zhang Ying converted the resulting penalty stroke in the 15th minute to make it 1-1.
Deepika restores India’s lead
China started the second quarter with greater authority after the equaliser, but India gradually regained their composure and began putting pressure on the Chinese defence.India earned two penalty corners in quick succession, with Navneet involved in creating the opportunities. The first was defended, but India remained on the front foot and eventually got their reward in the 25th minute.Deepika stepped up to take the penalty corner and unleashed a powerful drag-flick. The ball struck the shoulder of a Chinese defender and looped over the goalkeeper before finding the net.The umpires took time to assess the goal before confirming it, but India were eventually back in front at 2-1.China continued to threaten, but India managed to protect their advantage until half-time.
China dominate after the break
The third quarter, however, belonged almost entirely to China. The Olympic silver medallists came out aggressively and immediately put India under pressure.Baljeet produced a crucial defensive clearance early in the quarter, while goalkeeper Savita made a superb block soon after to deny China an equaliser.India were increasingly pinned inside their own half, and their inability to launch attacks of their own became a major concern. China finally found their reward in the 39th minute when Ma Ning converted their first penalty corner to make it 2-2.China continued to dominate for the remainder of the quarter, while India appeared to retreat into a defensive shell.
India survive late scare
The pattern continued into the fourth quarter, with China repeatedly swarming into India’s circle. India spent long periods defending and struggled to generate attacking momentum.With the game entering its final stages, China earned another penalty corner and had a golden opportunity to complete the comeback. The resulting strike, however, went just wide of the goal, allowing India to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
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India finally produced a strong attacking spell late in the game, shifting play into the Chinese half and putting their defence under pressure. Lalremsiami also came close to restoring India’s lead when she failed to connect with a ball that rolled across the face of the Chinese goal.China had one final opportunity from another penalty corner, but India held firm to secure the draw.India will now look to build on the result in their remaining Pool D matches.
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