Shootout heartache for India

London, Aug. 3: India’s dream of breaking their 44-year-old last four jinx lay shattered as Ireland registered a 3-1 win via shoot-off in the quarterfinal of the women’s hockey World Cup here today.

Poor execution in shoot-off cost India dearly as skipper Rani Rampal, Monika and Navjot Kaur failed to get past Irish goalie Ayeisha McFerran. Reena was the only scorer for India in the shoot-off.

Even though India goalkeeper Savita produced two saves in the shoot-off to keep her team in the hunt, it was not enough as Ireland scored through Roisin Upton, Alison Meeke and Chloe Watkins to make their maiden World Cup semifinal.

It was great chance for India to recreate history and secure its first World Cup semifinal spot in 44 years but it was not to be.

The only time India had managed to enter the semi-finals of the showpiece event was back in 1974 in Mandelieu, France where they eventually finished fourth.

In the last edition of the tournament in Rosario, Argentina India had finished a disappointing eighth.

Interestingly, it was India’s second defeat to world no. 16 Ireland in the tournament after the 0-1 loss at the pool stages.

It was even-stevens in the first quarter with both India and Ireland failed to create any real scoring opportunity.

India and Ireland managed to penetrate each other’s circle quite a few times in the opening 15 minutes but both the teams defended stoutly.

Both India and Ireland defenders came up with some strong challenges inside their own circle to deny each other.

Ireland had the first real scoring opportunity in the 23rd minute when Anna O’Flanagan’s deflection from Kathryn Mullan’s pass was saved by a diving Savita.

Three minutes later, Rani Rampal shot wide from close range after a fine one-two with Vandana Katariya as both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the opening half. It was a dull third quarter as the play was mostly centred around the edges.

The Indians and Irish both tried hard but they failed to get a single shot at each other’s goal.

Desperate to break the deadlock, the Indians came out with more purpose in the fourth and final quarter and applied pressure on the Irish defence. — PTI