When you are on a 17-match unbeaten streak against a team, you start as overwhelming favourites. The Indian women's hockey team did justice to its reputation with a 6-0 win against Malaysia in their second pool outing. That said, as a team which has a Paris Olympics berth at stake, the Savita-led team gave a rather poor account of its potential.
The grim face of chief coach Janneke Schopman in the dugout was an indication of the team's shoddy show after the first quarter, especially in penalty corners in which they managed to convert two off 13. It also worked in Malaysia's favour that they swapped goalkeepers Mashitah Khalid for Hazlinda Nur Abidin and the latter was impressive in holding off the Indian attack after the break.
To begin with India ticked the boxes with their attacking brand of hockey. Monika found the back of the net in the seventh minute to put them ahead. While India relentlessly attacked with Salima Tete using the baseline to make inroads, the opposition failed to hold position. India doubled the lead two minutes later with Deep Grace Ekka's powerful drag-flick. After a couple of close misses, Navneet Kaur made it 3-0 with a brilliant reverse hit in the 11th minute.
Seconds before the end of the first quarter, Neha scored off a penalty corner to make it 4-0. India were tardy in the second quarter, which was fumbling in basics like stopping the ball. Vaishnavi Phalke was one of the brightest sparks for India on the day, with the midfielder creating goal-scoring opportunities for the strikers which went begging. Sangita Kumari stretched the lead in the 24th minute, when she connected a pass from Neha and her tomahawk was on target. A steady downpour slowed down the Indians. After a barren third quarter, Lalremsiami made it 6-0 for India.
Thereafter India kept losing possession inside the striking circle and wasted penalty corners.
Result: India: 6 (Monika 7, Deep Grace Ekka 8, Navneet Kaur 11, Vaishnavi Phalke 15, Sangita Kumari 24, Lalremsiami 50) bt Malaysia: 0
