Hockey side lose to big Britain
Tokyo, July 28: The Indian women’s hockey team wasted chances galore to lose 1-4 against defending champions Great Britain here on Wednesday, their third consecutive preliminary stage defeat which reduces the side’s chances of qualifying for the Olympic quarterfinals.
The Indians were guilty of wasting opportunities in their first two games and the trend continued on Wednesday at the Oi Hockey Stadium as Great Britain punished them through strikes from Hannah Martin (2nd and
19th minute), Lily Owsley
(41st minute) and Grace
Balsdon (57th minute).
This Great Britain’s second consecutive win in Pool ‘A’.
For India, Sharmila Devi scored the lone goal in the 23rd minute.
The Indians needed at least a point from this game to be safe but they now will have to win their remaining two matches to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stage.
India had earlier lost 1-5 to World No.1 the Netherlands before slumping to a 0-2 defeat against Germany. Rani Rampal’s side will next play Ireland on Friday.
Despite the score-line, it was a close match between world No.11 India and World No.5 Britain.
The difference between the two teams was that India had the better share of chances but Great Britain utilised more opportunities that came their way.
India secured as many as eight penalty corners in the match but converted just one. Great Britain too didn’t have great success rate from set pieces as they found the net just once from the six they earned.
Great Britain started aggressively and put the Indian defence under pressure from the word go.
The title-holders didn’t let the Indians settle down with a second minute goal by Martin, which caught the Indian defence off guard. Great Britain kept up the pressure and had the first penalty corner in the 10th minute which was saved by India custodian Savita. —
The Indians were guilty of wasting opportunities in their first two games and the trend continued as Great Britain punished them 4-1 in women’s hockey.