The Indian women’s hockey team finished a respectable fifth in the FIH World Cup here on Thursday after defeating higher-ranked Germany 3-1 in a classification match.
This was the team’s best performance in 52 years. India concluded their campaign on a positive note thanks in large part to a brace from Navneet Kaur (44th and 47th). The other Indian goal came from Ishika in the 43rd minute. In the 59th minute, Lynn Krings gave Germany a comeback. This was the Indian women’s team’s finest showing since Ajinder Kaur’s squad placed fourth in the first World Cup in 1974.
With 11 World Cup rookies, the current Indian team’s fifth-place result makes it even more impressive. India, rated ninth in the competition, only lost once, to the hosts and Olympic winners, the Netherlands (0-2). The Indian squad will surely feel more confident after this performance in preparation for the Asian Games next month. After defeating South Africa 6-1, the Indian team tied with England after holding Olympic silver medalist China to a 2-2 draw in the first game.
India went all out against Germany, scoring three goals in the last 17 minutes, after being eliminated from the semi-final race following a goalless draw with Australia in the second round’s final match. After the final hooter, coach Sjoerd Marijne, who had led India to a remarkable fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics, leapt with delight.
Team India Stuns Germany
Prior to the event, this same German squad had won two practice games against India. But both sides tested one another during the first forty-three minutes of Thursday’s fifth-place classification game, but they were unable to score. India’s outstanding passing, fantastic finishing, and formidable defence in the last 17 minutes prevented Germany from making a comeback. Germany had six penalty corners, but the Indian defence and custodian held firm.
When Navneet collected the ball from the left flank and transferred it to Salima on the right in the fifth minute, India’s first effort was rejected by the German custodian. The umpire disregarded Salima’s request for a penalty corner. Emma Davidsmeyer of Germany moved forward by herself from the right flank with the ball in the ninth minute, but she lost possession in front of the goal and was unable to attempt a shot.
Just before the end of the first quarter, Shilpi Dabas passed the ball to Neha in midfield, but she lost possesion. Germany earned their first penalty corner of the match in the 15th minute when Ishika obstructed Emma inside the circle. India took a referral, but the video umpire upheld the on-field umpire’s decision. India lost the referral.
Indian goalkeeper Bichoo Devi brilliantly saved Lilly Stoffelsma’s drag-flick, but Germany received their second consecutive penalty corner due to the rusher’s early run but failed to convert from the variation. Neither team scored in the first 15 minutes. India made their first attempt in the fourth minute of the second quarter when Deepika passed the ball from the middle of the field to Navneet, who passed it to Lalremsiami in the circle. Lalremsiami’s shot went wide of the goalpost.
Germany earned their third penalty corner in the same minute, but the push was weak. India had another golden opportunity in the 22nd minute, but despite two attempts, they failed to convert it. First, Navneet took a direct shot from the left flank, which German goalkeeper Finja Starck blocked with her left foot, but the ball was still inside the D. It went to Salima on the right side of the goal, but her attempt was also thwarted by the German defence.
Good Display From Indian Players
Neither team was able to score until the break. Even after the break, both teams showed no signs of momentum, and the match progressed at a very slow pace. Ishika advanced alone from the right flank in the 35th minute with the ball, but lost control near the circle. Three minutes later, Jyoti had to leave the field with the help of a physiotherapist as she twisted her knee.
‘s consistent efforts paid off in the 43rd minute when Ishika, receiving the ball from Neha, entered the circle and, with a reverse hit, put the ball over the German goalkeeper. India earned the first penalty corner of the match the very next minute when Navneet was obstructed in the circle. Navneet’s slap shot hit the ball before it could be stopped, hitting the defender’s leg, giving India another penalty corner.
Navneet applied the same ‘touch-and-slap’; technique, scoring India’s second goal. Navneet’s brilliant dribbling gave India their third goal when, despite being surrounded by German defenders, she did not lose possession of the ball and took it past the goalkeeper and scored with a direct hit. After conceding three goals, the German team counterattacked and earned a penalty corner in the 48th minute, but could not score. Another PC was also wasted before they scored with one minute left in the match.