Women’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers: India proves too good for Uruguay in opener

India opened its FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers campaign on a strong note, defeating a spirited Uruguayan side 4-0 at the G.M.C. Balayogi Hockey Ground on Sunday.

The host began on the front foot, dominating possession (59% in all) and pressing hard for an early breakthrough. However, India’s inability to pick the right final pass, coupled with Uruguay’s resolute defence, ensured the opening quarter ended goalless. It wasn’t for lack of trying, though. Udita’s probing run down the left flank appeared to have given India the lead when the rebound found the net, but the raucous celebrations on and off the turf were short-lived as the referee ruled out the goal for having breached the height of the board.

The second quarter saw the attack shift to the right, with Navneet Kaur leading the charge. She won India’s second penalty corner, and this time the home team was not to be denied. Debutant Annu’s drag-flick took a deflection off Sunelita Toppo’s stick and beat goalkeeper Maria Bate to hand India a deserved lead. A penalty corner earned a minute before the half-time break raised hopes of an Uruguayan equaliser. But Sushila Chanu’s timely interception maintained status quo.

India doubled the lead in the 40th minute when Agustina Diaz failed to stop Ishika’s strike on the goal line. India added a third goal four minutes into in the final quarter, with Rutuja Pisal setting up Lalremsiami, whose effort flew past the helpless goalkeeper. With just two minutes in the contest, Rutuja ran unchecked into the circle and beat Miranda Martinez with a thumping strike, enough to catch a deep-in-conversation head coach Sjorde Marijne pleasantly off guard.

India, all three points in hand, rose to the top of the Pool B standings, above Scotland, which beat Wales 1-0 earlier.

The results: England 5 (Baldson 12-pc & 32-pc, Bingham 15, Neal 16-pc, Toman 27-pc) bt Italy 2 (Pessina 19-pc, Carta 46-pc); Korea 1 (Seona 34) bt Austria 0; Scotland 1 (Costello 20) bt Wales 0; India 4 (Sunelita 21-pc, Ishika 40, Lalremsiami 49, Rutuja 58) bt Uruguay 0.