Tokyo: The Indians Women’s Hockey Team registered their first victory at the Tokyo Olympics after defeating Ireland 1-0 at the Oi Hockey Stadium here on Friday.
The Indian team created a flurry of chances throughout the match before Navneet Kaur (57′) converted an opportunity in the last few minutes of the match to keep India’s Quarter-Finals hopes alive.
Ireland created a goal-scoring opportunity early on in the first quarter, however, the Indian defence stood tall and ensured that the ball is away from the goal. Soon after, the Indians made a circle penetration, however, Navneet Kaur couldn’t find the back of the net after getting close to the goal. The Indians continued to put pressure on the Irish goal and earned a Penalty Corner in the 9th minute, however, Gurjt Kaur couldn’t find the back of the net. Soon after, Navneet Kaur went through two Irish players and took a shot at the goal, but the Irish defence ensured that the ball is kept away from the goal.
India earned a number of Penalty Corners in the last five minutes of the first quarter, however, couldn’t convert any of them. The Irish made a circle penetration late in the first quarter, but the Indian defence stood tall once again and drove the ball away from the goal.
The Irish earned a Penalty Corner early in the second quarter, but couldn’t convert their goal-scoring opportunity. Soon after, India made a circle penetration, but couldn’t find a breakthrough. In the 7th minute of the second quarter, Lalremsiami had a great chance to score after receiving a pass in the circle, but the Irish Goalkeeper made a sliding save. A few moments later, Ireland drove the ball from the right, but there was no one there who could convert the opportunity into a goal. India took a shot in the final minutes of the first half, but the Irish Goalkeeper ensured that the Indians are kept at bay. In the 14th minute of the second quarter, India earned five back-to-back Penalty Corners, however, couldn’t find a way to convert any of them into a goal.
India continued to play aggressively in the third quarter and earned a Penalty Corner right away.
In their fifth and final Pool A match on Saturday 31 July 2021 at 0845hrs IST, India will take on South Africa.
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