Indian jr women win hockey ‘Test’ series 3-1
LUCKNOW: Indian junior women’s continued their fine run against France, blanking them out 2-0 to win the four-match women’s hockey ‘Test’ series 3-1, at the Padma Shri Mohd Shahid Stadium here on Tuesday. India had lost the opening match, but thereafter won all three encounters, including one at Gorakhpur last week.
Jyoti and Gangandeep Kaur scored a goal each and first time Indian juniors converted a penalty corner into goal after missing as many as 11 PCs in previous two matches here. On Wednesday too, they missed three PCs in the first half itself.
Playing before a sizeable crowd consist mostly the inmates of the state governmentrun sports hostels, Indian juniors, especially local girl and diminutive forward Mumtaz Khan dominated the 60-minute duel with some eye-catching stick work under the lights.
Mumtaz’s hit in the very second minute on a penalty corner deflection was able saved by French custodian Mathilde Petriaux by diving to her left, whereas two other PCS, one each in the sixth and 28th minute were shot wide by the Indian dragflickers. An unmarked Jyoti anchored team’s first goal, pushing the ball from the right flank four minutes before the halftime (1-0). It was altogether a different Indian side after a change in the ends. Rotating through the wingers, Salima Tete-led denied even a small chance to French women to attack.
However, a penalty corner in the very second minute in the third quarter saw Indian juniors scoring their second goal. Unlike others, strongly-built Gangandeep shot a quick ball in the right corner of post, leaving French custodian with no option but to see the ball sounding the board (2-0). The Indian juniors though continued to dominate till the end, another goal remained elusive to them as on most of the occasions, they shot wide or their hits were able deflected by French defenders and keeper.
“It was a good exposure trip for our players. They must have learnt many a new things and would practice those things to play well in future,” French coach Gael Foulard was quick to say after the match.
MUMTAZ’S HIT IN THE VERY SECOND MINUTE ON A PENALTY CORNER DEFLECTION WAS ABLE SAVED BY FRENCH CUSTODIAN MATHILDE PETRIAUX BY DIVING TO HER LEFT