India Women beat Uruguay 4-0 to begin Hockey World Cup qu...

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 per cent 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 the 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.

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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 India 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’s lead doubled in the 40th minute when Agustina Diaz failed to stop Ishika’s strike on the goal line.

The Women in Blue 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.