Unimpressive India lose 0-1 to Ireland

failed to secure a single penalty corner in their 1-1 draw against England, they secured as many as seven penalty corners on Thursday but failed to utilise a single one. Ireland took the early lead from their first penalty corner when O’flanagan scored with a great deflection. In total Ireland earned three penalty corners.

India also had chances to score from open play but the forwards lacked finishing touch.

In the last minute of the second quarter, Lilima Minz got an open ball inside the box but her feeble shot was an easy save for the Ireland goalkeeper as India went into the breather trailing by a goal. After change of ends, India got their fourth penalty corner in the 37th minute but Gurjit Kaur’s flick was saved by the Irish goalie diving to her right.

The Indians continued to attack but the forays lacked sting. India got two more penalty corners in quick succession but to no avail. In the final quarter, Ireland had a great chance to double their lead but an unmarked Nicola Evans failed to deflect in Kathryn Mullan’s inch-perfect cross from the right flank.

In the 54th minute, India secured their seventh and final penalty corner but Ireland was impeccable. Skipper Rampal got the best opportunity for India to draw level as she surged inside the circle after snatching the ball from an Irish defender but her fierce shot from one-on-one situation was parried out by the goalie.