Indian Women’s Hockey Team lose 0-1 to Ireland in their 2nd match

Adarsh Rout: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team were left disappointed as they lost 0-1 to Ireland in their second Pool B match of the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 campaign here at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Thursday. It was a tough defeat for the Indian team as they created more chances and had more shots on goal, but the Irish showed grit and efficiency as Anna O’Flanagan scored the only goal of the match in the 13th minute.

The Indian team started the match well as they attacked the Irish team through the right flank, creating a couple of chances. The World No. 10 team won their first Penalty Corner of the competition in 4th minute through skipper Rani as she was stopped in her path by an Irish defender. However, the resulting drag-flick by Gurjit Kaur was deflected away by the first Irish rusher. Ireland started to maintain possession towards the latter stages of the first quarter and won themselves their first PC in the 12th miute as India’s Deep Grace Ekka blocked an Irish forward in her tracks. The resulting drag-flick by Deirdre Duke was deflected towards the left of Indian Goalkeeper Savita by Anna O’Flanagan to give the Irish the lead. Moments later, India were awarded their second PC in the 14th minute; but Gurjit’s drag-flick was again stopped by the first Irish rusher as the World No. 16 team took their lead into the break.