Indian women’s hockey team lose 1-3 to Great Britain
Hockey India
The Indian eves eventually got their first defeat of the British tour as they went down 3-1 against the host in the fourth match in Marlow, England on Wednesday. With the series tied at 1-1, with both the sides winning once and drawing twice, they would go for the fifth and deciding match on Friday.
With the hosts trailing 0-1 in the series, they had to step up sometime or the other and they did exactly that on Wednesday. They started the match in a domineering fashion not letting Indian having a grasp of the match and their efforts were eventually gifted in the third minute itself when they won the first penalty corner.
And while custodian Rajani Etimarpu did exceptionally well to keep them out for that instance, Britain eventually unlocked India’s defence two minutes later through a field goal. India had to respond and they grew into the game in the next few minutes creating their own chances in the latter stages of the first quarter.
However, after being denied by Maddie Hinch in the first few times, the side finally combined well during the start of the second quarter and got the equalizer as Neha executed a slick finish to score 1-1 in the 18th minute. But, India’s slender lead didn’t last long as after GB and India failed to make anything out of some penalty corners, Charlotte Watson got the breakthrough in the 29th minute.
Great Britain didn’t repeat their mistakes this time and kept India on the back-foot by attacking relentlessly. India did well to keep the hosts out with Indian keeper Savita saving a penalty corner, but they had to eventually pour forward in search of a goal and the Britishers took advantage of it. The hosts got a penalty stroke and Giselle Ansley converted it without any hesitation.
Coming back from 1-3 down was a steep task and despite India had their chances in the last 10 minutes of the match, they lacked the incision. India would play the fifth and final Test on Friday.
