Savita helps India escape with a draw vs England
WORLD CUP India goalkeeper makes several saves in thrilling opening match
LONDON: India produced an impressive display before conceding a late goal to play out a 1-1 draw against world No 2 England in their opening Pool B match of the women’s hockey World Cup here on Saturday.
Neha Goyal gave India the lead in the 25th minute before Lily Owsley equalised from a penalty corner in the 54th minute.
World number 10 India punched above their weight and gave England a run for their money in a keenly contested duel. India matched higher ranked England stick for stick in the opening two quarters even though the hosts had more scoring chances with five penalty corners coming their way.
But the Indian defence was up to the mark with goalkeeper Savita Punia stealing the limelight with some brilliant saves. While India looked promising, the home team kept on earning penalty corners.
England earned their first penalty corner inside 32 sec and then another in the eighth minute but on both occasions the Indian defence kept a tight vigil .
England earned two more penalty corners in the second quarter but , Savita showed great reflexes to keep the danger away.
The Indians, on the other hand, caught the English defence off guard on more than one occasion from open play.
India broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through Neha Goyal who found herself at the right place to direct the ball into the net and stun the hosts.
The Indians showed great fighting character to go into the halfway break by a slender one goal advantage.
Trailing by a goal, England attacked in the final quarter in search of the equaliser but the Indians defended their citadel well and maintained their control over the proceedings.
In the 48th minute, England secured another penalty corner but once again the Indian defence stood tall.
Five minutes later, England were awarded a set piece and they utilised the opportunity to draw level. Though Savita blocked the initial attempt, Owsley found the target from the rebound.
In other matches, Germany defeated South Africa 3-1 while Ireland beat USA 2-1.