The Indian women's hockey team fought valiantly in the first two quarters before losing the steam to go down 1-5 against the Netherlands in their opening pool match.
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The Netherlands women’s hockey team delivered a fantastic performance in their Tokyo 2020 Pool A match against India, recording a 5-1 win. The former pulled off a stunning display in the second half of the encounter, with both teams level 1-1 on the scoreline till the first half. The Indian women’s hockey team qualified for their second successive edition of the Olympics since 1980, on the back of a thrilling 6-5 aggregate win over the USA in Bhubaneshwar. However, the confidence in attack certainly seemed to be missing going into the group opener, with the Netherlands defence keeping the attackers quiet for the majority of the game.
Skipper Rani Rampal was the only player who managed to score for India, with the team failing to earn a penalty corner as well. In comparison, World Champions Netherlands 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. Rani 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. India goalkeeper Savita 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 Savita 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. India will take on Germany on July 26 to keep their Olympics hopes alive.
India XI: Savita Punia, Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Neha Goyal, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika Malik, Salima Tete, Rani Rampal, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya. Coach: S. Marijne.
Netherlands XI: Josine Koning, Caia van Maasakker, Pien Sanders, Lauren Stam, Laurien Leurink, Marloes Keetels, Laura Nunnink, Eva de Goede, Maria Verschoor, Lidewij Welten, Frederique Matla. Coach: A. Annan.
