Top News

The Indian women's hockey team has made a strong start to its campaign in the World Cup by holding China to a 2-2 draw. The Chinese team is Olympic silver medalist and fourth in the world ranking. The Indian team is at number 9 in the ranking. China had defeated India 4-1 in the final of the Asia Cup last year. Considering its strong team, this time also the defeat of Team India was considered certain but Salima Tete's team proved everyone wrong.

The Indian team took the lead in the 8th minute itself thanks to Navneet Kaur's goal. Neha sent the ball in from outside the circle, on which Navneet scored to make India 1-0. However, China soon made a comeback. He equalized the score by scoring a goal on penalty stroke. India took the lead again in the 25th minute. Deepika converted the penalty corner and made the score 2-1. The Indian team maintained the lead till half time, due to which the Chinese team seemed under pressure.

China took advantage of the inexperience of the Indian team in the third quarter and showed its dominance and again equalized the score. He scored a goal on a penalty corner in the 39th minute. Even after this, China intensified its attacks but the Indian defense kept it in check. In the last quarter, China created a threat by getting a penalty-quarter but India successfully defended it. This was the toughest match for Team India in the pool stage, which it ended in a draw and raised its medal hopes.

Who does India face next?

The Indian team will now face South Africa in the next match. It is not considered so difficult, because South Africa's world ranking is 18. England have just whitewashed them 4-0 in the World Cup. However, the Indian team will have to achieve not just a win but a big win. If Team India wins this match by a big margin, then it will stake a strong claim to be in the top-2 of Pool-D. At present the England team is on top in this pool.

China and India are in second place, while South Africa is in fourth place. Top-2 teams from the pool will go to the second round. This time in the World Cup, the top two teams from each pool will reach the second round, where they will again be divided into two pools. In this stage, teams will play not 3 but 2-2 matches. If both India and China advance to the next round, they will not face each other and will go ahead with 1-1 points from the first pool stage. Therefore, the draw against China was very important for India's chances.

Collision with England on 20th August

The Indian team will face England on 20th August in the World Cup. This match will also be very important. The England team is the seventh ranked team in the world. India will have to perform well in this match also. Team India coach Shored Marin has advised the team to avoid complacency after the good performance against China.

Coach Marin said, 'This match was the most important and after drawing it, we have now got the opportunity to focus on our game in the remaining matches. We do not have to think about the equations of other teams but avoid complacency and maintain this rhythm in the future matches also.

Team India will have to make this improvement

Navneet Kaur, who was the Player of the Tournament in the World Cup Qualifiers, has maintained that rhythm, which is a good sign for India. Star drag-flicker Deepika was also seen in the ring and won a penalty corner and converted it into a goal. The players who made their debut in the World Cup including Sunelita Toppo, Ishika, Shilpi Dabas also showed their natural game without the pressure of playing for a bigger team, which is being considered good.

However, coach Marin has said that India will have to work on getting and keeping the ball. The Indian team, which had complete possession of the ball in the first quarter, became loose after taking a 2-1 lead at halftime and was seen playing defensive hockey in the third quarter, taking advantage of which China scored the equalizing goal.

Marin said, 'We scored a penalty corner and also scored a field goal, but I am not happy with the play in the third quarter. We have to work on getting the ball and maintaining possession. The team must have felt relieved after the draw of the first match and the performance will improve match by match.