Bhubaneswar (Odisha): The Indian Women's Hockey Team on Friday ended the Bhubaneswar leg of the Hockey Pro League 2023/24 with a 3-1 victory against the United States at Kalinga Hockey Stadium here.
Vandana Katariya(9’), Deepika (26’), and Samila Tete (56’) scored for India, while Sanne Caarls (42’) scored the lone goal for the United States.
India started the game with an opportunity to score through a penalty corner but Deepika’s dragflick sailed wide of the post. United States quickly answered with a chance of their own as Elizabeth Yeager shot from a tight angle, however, India skipper Savita diffused the situation with a save.
Halfway through the first quarter, Sangita Kumari ventured down the right wing and attempted to find Sonika in the shooting circle but the ball bounced off United States’ goalkeeper Kealsie Robles and fell to Vandana Katariya, who tapped the ball in goal to put India ahead.
United States started the second quarter on the front foot with Elizabeth Yeager swivelling on top of the shooting circle and attempting a reverse shot but it was straight into the side netting. Soon after, Salima Tete initiated a blazing run on the right wing but she couldn’t find Lalremsiami in the circle and the move fizzled out.
India employed a high press for the rest of the quarter and with four minutes left, Monika threaded a pass to Vandana, who shifted the ball to Deepika on the right wing and her reverse swing, from a tight angle, capped off the intricate passing sequence with a goal.
The United States went on to earn a penalty corner with a minute left before the halftime whistle but Savita battered the shot away to safety and India was 2-0 ahead at the halfway mark.
India took the initiative in the third quarter as Sharmila Devi attempted a drive down the left wing but she couldn't find a teammate in the circle and the chance went begging. With three minutes left in the quarter, Sanne Caarls picked up a loose ball outside the shooting circle and unleashed a tomahawk shot to beat Savita in goal and present the United States with a foothold in the game.
Both teams probed the other’s defence in an attempt to score the next goal in the last quarter. India earned a penalty corner with seven minutes left in the game but the shot sailed wide. As the game drew to a close, Deepika went on a scintillating run across the left wing, blazing past several defenders, and crossed to Salima Tete, who deflected the ball into the goal and restored India’s two-goal lead.
United States endured in their attempt to score another goal in the dying moments but India remained alert and the match ended 3-1 in India’s favour.
