Rotterdam: The Indian women’s hockey team put up a stellar performance to beat USA 4-0 in a second leg match to finish third in their maiden season in the FIH Pro League here on Wednesday. The Indians had earlier defeated USA 4-2 in the first match of the double header on Tuesday. Vandana Katariya (39th, 54th) made braces, while Sonika (54th) and Sangeeta Kumari (58th) scored once for India.
Argentina has already won the title and Netherlands is in second place. USA started the match brilliantly and grabbed their first chance in the second minute, but Elizabeth Yeager’s high shot was easily saved by India’s captain and goalkeeper Savita.
After wrapping up India’s #FIHProLeague campaign with a win, @TheHockeyIndia’s Sonika says, ‘We fought the good fight and made the team proud, we are really looking forward to the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/ssUJUVuPki – International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) June 22, 2022
The Indians also had chances early on but Sharmila Devi missed a golden opportunity as she failed to beat the USA goalkeeper from close range. As always, Salima Tete was a live wire from the right flank, creating chances for her side with her defense-split runs.
The Americans secured a second penalty corner in the 11th minute but missed the opportunity. USA once again got off to a positive start after the quarter break but the Indians got a boost as the match progressed. India got their first penalty corner in the 23rd minute but failed to execute the set piece.
The Indians then continued to attack and earned two more penalty corners but the end result remained the same as both the teams failed to break the deadlock at half time.
Three minutes into the third quarter, India secured a penalty corner but Navneet Kaur’s trap shot was easily saved by USA goalkeeper Kelsey Bing after an early fumble from the stopper.
But it was Jeanneke Schopman’s girls who broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when Vandana got a light touch from India’s fifth penalty corner to deflect Gurjit Kaur’s flick.
Indians had many opportunities in the last two quarters. Navneet misses a sitter as his slap goes over the post in front of an open goal.
The Americans got a penalty corner in the 43rd minute but India defended well.
India then sealed the match by scoring three goals in a span of four minutes.
First, Vandana scored an open goal from the build up from the right flank and then seconds later, Sonika found the USA net with a goalmouth melee from another attack from the right.
India captain Savita quickly made a double save to deny the Americans a penalty corner.
Young Sangeeta also registered her name in the scoresheet by scoring a brilliant field goal in the 57th minute.
The last chance of the match fell in front of USA in the form of another penalty corner but they ruined it.
The win will boost India’s confidence ahead of the Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Spain from July 1 to 17.