Irrespective of the rankings and the recent form, Indian women’s hockey team contained a higher ranked England to a 1-1 draw in the Group B clash of Women’s hockey world cup 2018. Earlier, Neha Goyal draw first blood for India striking in the 25th minute but Lily Owsley equalised in 54th minute from a penalty corner to rescue England from an unexpected loss.
England had more scoring opportunities in the first two half but missed out to score in any of the five Penalty corner. Indian defense denied them any chances as goalkeeper Savita Punia was rock strong at the net.
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India kept building counter attacks and it was Neha Goyal who was at the right position to direct the ball in the net and score a goal against run of play in 25′ minute.
India kept denying the host to find the equalizer and went into the half time with a slender lead.
The women in blue were smart enough to deny England find an equalizer in the third quarter.
In the 48th minute, England secured another penalty corner but India’s defense was rock strong to let England find an equalizer.
Five minutes later, England again managed a penalty corner and they finally were on the even terms just when the things started to favour a famous Indian victory. Goalkeeper Savita blocked the attempt but a fiery rebound from Owsley proved too good for the Indian defenders clear.
Earlier, England rammed India 6-0 in the Commonwealth Games bronze medal match and had all the momentum coming into the match.
India will play a lower ranked Ireland in their next Pool B match on July 26 and a higher ranked United Stated on July 29.
