India women win in Rani’s 200th game

SEOUL: Indian women’s hockey team defeated South Korea by a solitary goal in the opening match of the five-game series to make a positive start to their tour on Monday.

India scored an early goal through Lalremsiami (5th minute) and then defended stoutly to hold on to the lead for the win.

India looked positive from the word go and were rewarded for their intent in the fifth minute when Lalremsiami found the back of the South Korean net past goalkeeper Mijin Han.

In the 18th minute India were awarded with a penalty corner, but Mijin Han came to her side’s rescue this time. Three minutes later the Korean goalkeeper made another fine save from a penalty corner to keep the hosts in the hunt.

In the 23rd minute India con- ceded a penalty corner but debutant goalkeeper Swati made a fine save to keep team’s lead intact. It was a crucial phase as world no. 9 South Korea were constantly looking for an opening to equalise but the Indian defence stood tall.

In the fourth quarter, Swati made some important saves to keep India’s 1-0 lead intact.

The 24-year-old Indian goalkeeper saved two penalty corners in the opening six minutes of the final quarter and then kept out a penalty stroke in the 50th minute to deny the hosts a way back into the match.

The visitors then earned two more penalty corners but their efforts were kept out by a well-organised South Korean defense.

Against South Korea on Monday, India captain Rani Rampal completed 200 international caps while Monika reached a century of caps.

India will play their second match of the series on Tuesday.