KOLKATA: Deepika put up a superlative performance as the Indian women’s hockey team beat the US 3-1 in FIH Pro League at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday for their first win after five consecutive losses.
While Vandana Katariya scored the opener in the ninth minute, Deepika doubled the lead in the 26th with a blinder of a strike. Sanne Caarls did pull one back for the visitors in the third quarter but it was Salima Tete’s goal following Deepika’s brilliant run in the final quarter that wrapped up the victory for the hosts.
The win will help coach Janneke Schopman breathe a sigh of relief as the team came into the game under a lot of pressure after losing all their three matches in the tournament so far against China, the Netherlands and Australia. It even showed on her face as well as the other players as they not only celebrated the win but looked relaxed and at ease.
The US had also beaten them in the Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi and the hosts had a point to prove and the team finally showed their class as they grabbed the win quite comfortably in the end.
The day, however, belonged to Deepika and she was rightly given the player of the match award.
After Vandana scored the opener in the first quarter, India continued with their attacking style of play in search of their second. They kept their opponents under pressure and created chances. Sadly, like the recent past, the goals weren’t coming.
But it all changed late in the second quarter when Vandana played the ball to Deepika from just outside the D. She collected it, took a moment and slammed it into the top left corner of the goal from the right with a reverse flick. It was a moment of brilliance that took the breath out of everybody.
Trailing 0-2, the US upped the tempo in the third and reduced the lead with a fine goal by Caarls in the 42nd minute. But unlike the recent matches, India did not drop their shoulders and fall back.
Instead they kept pressing and won themselves their fourth penalty corner of the match. They couldn’t convert it like the rest of the three but they didn’t give up hope.
Eventually with just four minutes left on the clock, Deepika made a meandering run past three US defenders on the left and played the ball towards Salima in front of the goal. It was a perfect pass and Salima had no trouble putting it in into the net to the joy of Schopman, who was seen jumping in delight in the dugout.
The win will not only give them relief but also a lot of confidence ahead of the Rourkela leg where they will take on China first on Monday.
Meanwhile, in the other match of the day, the Netherlands continued their dominance as they beat Australia 6-2.
