The India women's team failed to convert opportunities into goals, losing their second consecutive group match against clinical Germany.
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The German women’s hockey team made their presence felt with a solid display in the Tokyo 2020 Pool A match against India, recording a 2-0 win. The Asian giants have now been relegated to their second consecutive defeat in the prestigious event, having been thrashed 5-1 in the previous encounter against the Netherlands. While there was greater composure witnessed in defence, the attack continues to be an area of concern as evident from the lack of concrete opportunities. Germany showcased a lot of confidence when handed opportunities, with skipper Nike Lorenz converting from the first penalty corner of the game. Lorenz converted the penalty corner into a goal with a drag flick, hitting the ball astutely to the left of the Team India goalkeeper Savita Punia.
The Indian team had not won a single penalty corner in the opening encounter, and the same seemed set to continue in this clash. However, skipper Rani Rampal showcased her experience and tactical brilliance, opting for a review of a shot that went out following a deflection. As veteran Gurjit Kaur stepped up to take the penalty won, there was great enthusiasm considering the massive opportunity provided. However, the German keeper deflected the shot off the post, letting out a roar.
The European team gained a lot of confidence following the fine save, and it reflected as Anna Schroder scored the nation’s second goal. Schroder drove an unstoppable shot past Savita into the Team India goal, setting the stage for a comprehensive win.
While the defeat is certainly an area of concern, the consistent performances of the Team India skipper are certainly a boost. Rampal made her presence felt even in the clash against the Netherlands, delivering a fine display.
The Team India skipper is the only player from the team to have managed to score, accounting for a goal in the one-sided clash against World Champions Netherlands. The Oranje managed to win several penalty corners, scoring freely in the second half. They took the lead in the sixth minute after Felice Arbers scored the opener on the rebound. Rampal scored the equaliser just a few minutes later in the 10th minute. The Team India skipper hit the ball into the top right corner, leaving the opposition goalkeeper in no position to stop it following a superb effort.
Players from The Netherlands attempted to hit back with the winner, despite being initially stunned by the quick equaliser and attacking intent shown by the Asian side. Punia made her presence felt with a few crucial saves, coming under quite some pressure due to some sloppy defending by the players. One of her most noteworthy efforts came in the 32nd minute as Savita denied The Netherlands two goals, on the back of some fine gameplay.
However, the second half proved to be the turning point as the World Champions took the lead having earned a penalty corner following a successful referral. Van Geffen helped deflect the shot, beating Punia in the 33rd minute to hand her side a 2-1 lead. This was followed by Abers taking advantage of the confusion in the Indian defence, to record her second goal in a similar way as to how she scored her first. The attack came from the right flank, leaving the opposition in no position to prevent the onslaught.
With the score 3-1, one would have been optimistic of a comeback from the Indian team who had looked impressive in the first half. However, the players seemed in a muddled space mentally which Frederique Matla took full advantage of, slotting the ball between the Indian goalkeeper’s pads. The last quarter witnessed similar dominance as the World Champions ruthlessly exposed the opposition defence’s capabilities when it came to negotiating penalty corners. The Indian defence failed to clear the ball properly after Savita denied a goal, with Caia Jacqueline van Maasakker handing ‘The Netherlands’ a four-goal lead.
