India storms in knock-out stage of Women's Hockey World Cup in must-win game against USA; match drawn by 1-1
London, July 30: India on Sunday stormed into the knock-out stage of the Women's Hockey World Cup in London with a spirited performance to come back from a goal down and hold the higher-ranked USA to a 1-1 draw in their last Pool B match.
Margaux Paolino opened the scoring in the 11th minute before skipper Rani Rampal made things square in 31st, to keep the Indian campaign afloat. Indian players started the match on a good note but the forwards failed to breach the rival defence. India earned four penalty corners but failed to converts it into goals.
As time passed by the Americans grew in confidence and started to attack the Indian goal quite frequently. From one such occasion, Margaux Paolino scored from a rebound in the 11th minute after her initial try was kicked away by Indian goalkeeper Savita.
Trailing by a goal, the Indians came out all guns blazing after the change of ends and drew level a minute into the third quarter through a penalty corner conversion by skipper Rani Rampal. The Indians showed great energy and attacked the American goal in numbers. In the process, they earned their sixth penalty corner in the 47th minute but this time Gurjit's powerful grounded flick was brilliantly saved by Briggs.
The Indians, thereafter, defended brilliantly to deny the USA any breakthrough to secure the hard-earned win and prolong their stay in the tournament. India finished the group stage at the third spot in the 4-team Pool-B. They will face Italy in the play-offs on Monday. The winner will meet Ireland in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The semi-finals will be played on Saturday, with the Final slated for Sunday.
After a spirited start to their campaign at the Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 where the Indian team drew 1-1 with hosts and World No.2 England, Rani-led India find themselves in a do-or-die match against USA after a disappointing 0-1 loss to Ireland in their second round. To remain in contention for a quarterfinal berth, India needed a win or a draw from Sunday’s game.