Rourkela: The Indian women’s hockey team faced a disappointing start in the Rourkela leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24, succumbing to a narrow 1-2 loss against China at the Birsa Munda Stadium on Monday.
Despite taking an early lead through Sangita Kumari’s exceptional finish (7′), the Indian team couldn’t capitalize on the advantage. China, driven by Gu Bingfeng’s brace (14′, 53′), secured a 2-1 victory, leaving the Indian side with a challenging start.
Vandana Katariya’s outstanding cross set the stage for Sangita Kumari’s early goal, giving India the lead in the first quarter. However, China responded swiftly, with Gu Bingfeng equalizing (14′) just before the quarter ended.
The second quarter witnessed intense action, with both teams earning penalty corners. Despite China’s dominance in possession, India’s defense stood resilient. A penalty corner opportunity for China was denied by Indian captain and goalkeeper Savita. The first half concluded with a balanced score of 1-1.
The third quarter remained goalless as India and China engaged in strategic play. A reversed penalty corner decision, prompted by a vigilant Neha Goyal’s referral, added drama to the match. The stalemate continued, showcasing both teams’ defensive prowess.
In the decisive moments, China broke the deadlock with Gu Bingfeng converting a penalty stroke (53′), securing their lead. Despite India’s attempts, including two successive penalty corners in the 55th minute, the Chinese defense held firm. The match concluded with China claiming victory at 2-1.
The Indian women’s hockey team looks to bounce back as they gear up to face the Netherlands in their next encounter on Wednesday, aiming to turn the tide in their favor in the FIH Hockey Pro League.
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