They made it harder for themselves, but the Indian women survived an onslaught from England to hold on for a nervy goalless draw on Thursday and progress to the World Cup second round. It was not the way they would have wanted, but it would just be fine.
But the European side came harder in the final 15 minutes, including removing its goalkeeper for an extra outfielder. England had 16 circle penetrations to India’s two in the second half as the latter was retreating into its own quarter of the pitch. The sun, for a change, shone on the Wagener Stadion as the Indian team basked in a rare moment of success on this stage. In a pool (D) where India (five points) was ranked the third-best side, Sjoerd Marijne’s outfit finished second behind China (seven points). It was a superb rearguard effort from the Indian defence with England needing just one goal to break the resistance and with that, the rival’s hearts. In the final minute, Tessa Howard struck at goal, but Bichu Devi sprung to her left to push the ball away, making India believe again. It was a remarkable save. Marijne celebrates the qualification with the team members. | Photo Credit: Hockey India Savita did her part, too, keeping England at bay in the third quarter with two superb saves. Ultimately, it didn’t prove costly for India.
Her jubilant senior goalkeeping partner Savita Punia called it the “save of the match”. But Marijne’s side will need to do better against the Netherlands in the second-round game on Friday.