Bhubaneswar: In a gripping encounter at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Sunday, England secured a hard-fought victory over India in the FIH Hockey Pro League (Women), winning the bonus point in a tense shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Navneet Kaur (53’) and debutant Rutaja Dadaso Pisal (57’) found the net for India, while Paige Gillot (40’) and Tessa Howard (56’) scored for England. Rutaja’s goal was particularly special, as she marked her senior international debut with a crucial equalizer.
The match began with both teams creating early opportunities, but neither could break the deadlock in the first quarter. England dominated possession and earned two penalty corners in the 9th and 11th minutes, but India’s goalkeeper Savita stood strong, ensuring the scores remained level.
India came close to scoring in the second quarter with their first penalty corner in the 16th minute when Manisha Chauhan’s deflected shot hit the post. Despite earning two more penalty corners in quick succession, India failed to capitalize, with Deepika’s drag-flick failing to find the net. Towards the end of the half, Rutaja and Navneet received green cards, temporarily reducing India to nine players. However, solid defensive work kept the scoreline at 0-0 heading into the break.
The second half saw an early Indian penalty corner, but England’s defense held firm. England finally broke the deadlock in the 40th minute through a penalty corner, as Captain Sophie Hamilton’s delivery was expertly deflected into the roof of the net by Paige Gillot. India pressed forward in search of an equalizer but struggled to find the finishing touch.
India finally got their breakthrough in the 53rd minute when Mumtaz was fouled inside the circle, earning a penalty stroke. Vice-Captain Navneet Kaur made no mistake from the spot, bringing India level. However, England regained the lead in the 56th minute when another penalty corner saw Hamilton’s delivery find Tessa Howard, who deflected the ball into the net.
India responded immediately, with Sunelita Toppo setting up Rutaja inside the circle. The young forward displayed remarkable composure, dribbling past defenders to score a stunning goal on her international debut and forcing the game into a shootout.
With both teams earning a point from regulation time, the shootout determined the bonus point winner. Despite Savita’s outstanding performance, making four crucial saves, England triumphed 2-1 in sudden death with Hamilton netting the decisive strike.
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