FIH Pro Hockey League 2022: Indian women’s team began the tournament with a resounding win

 The Indian women started their maiden FIH Pro Hockey League tournament with a resounding win over neighbors China in the first match played at Muscat, Oman on Monday.

It was a perfect start for the Indian team as Navneet Kaur converted from a rebound shot in the 4^th minute. India continued their domination over China and kept the pressure on its defense. China earned their first penalty corner but was well saved by Indian captain and goalkeeper Savita Punia. Sharmila drives an attack piling the pressure as Neha scored from a deflection in the 12^th minute to give India a 2-0 lead. Soon, India missed a golden chance with 2 versus 1 against the Chinese goalkeeper. At the end of the first quarter, India led 2-0.

China started the 2^nd quarter on a much better note with a sustained attack before conceding possession. India earned penalty corner as Gurjit Kaur shot but was well saved by the Chinese goalkeeper. China looked more threatening in the 2^nd quarter as their execution did not create much impact on Indian defense. India missed a golden chance with one-one against the Chinese goalkeeper. At the end of the first half, India still led 2-0.

The third quarter began well for the Indian team as they kept the pressure on the Chinese defense. Vandana Katriya scored a brilliant rebound goal after counterattack with one-one versus Chinese goalkeeper in the 40^th minute to give India a commanding 3-0 lead. Meng Ling converted from a brilliant pass in the 42^nd minute opening China’s account. At the end of the third quarter, India had a 3-1 lead.

The Indian team put enough pressure on the Chinese defense with a full press. India earned a penalty corner but was then awarded a penalty stroke. Susheela Chanu converted a penalty stroke in the 47^th minute to give India a 4-1 lead. A brilliant combination pass as Sharmila made it 5-1 in the 48^th minute. It was another brilliant piece of a display by the Indian forward as they earned another penalty corner. Gurjit Kaur converted penalty stroke into a goal in the 50^th minute to give India a commanding 6-1 lead. Susheela Chanu made it 7-1 with the penalty stroke in the 52^nd minute giving bronze medallists of the recently concluded Asian Cup. The Indian team earned another penalty corner but the shot went wide.

It was a dominating display by the Indian team as they kept the pressure on the Chinese defense. India was awarded 2 green cards, but India earned more possession with 35 as compared to 19 of China. The 2^nd match will be played on the same ground tomorrow.

Indian women's team start the FIH Pro League tournament with a huge 7-1 win