India finish 8th after loss to Ireland in Women’s Hockey World League Semi-final

India women's hockey team conceded one-goal lead to go down 1-2 to Ireland and finish eighth in Women's Hockey World League Semi Final despite maintaining an upper hand throughout the match before letting the opponents score two goals in the final quarter.

india hockey, hockey world league semi-final

India finished eighth in World League Semi-final.

India’s disastrous campaign in the Women’s Hockey World League Semi-Final came to an end on sad note when they lost 2-1 to Ireland in the 7-8th position match in Johannesburg on Saturday. The loss was bitter as India had taken the lead early and were looking good to hold on to it before conceding two goals in two minutes in the final quarter.

India began the match on a defensive note and Ireland looked the better side. But, India turned around the momentum after the 10 minutes after a penalty corner was awarded to Ireland. The defence line did great to save that and give India a new boost.

Just at the stroke of hooter in the first quarter, India were awarded a penalty corner. Gurjit Kaur made no mistake in her drag-flick and converted the penalty corner which gave India 1-0 lead going into the break.

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But, India would be disappointed with the way they performed in the second quarter. After India made a circle penetration against Ireland, Navjot Kaur was obstructed by Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran which resulted in her being sent away and India getting a penalty stroke. But to the disappointment of Indian fans, that stroke was saved by Ireland’s substitute goalkeeper Grace O’Flanagan.

There was another chance for India to double their lead in the 28th minute but the referee disallowed the Indian goal as it came off the back stick of Indian striker Rani. India went to half-time break leading 1-0.

Ireland goalkeeper O’Flanagan continued her good work under the bar and blocked a penalty corner in the 43rd minute that was taken by Rani. India won back-to-back PCs in the 31st minute but unfortunately, they couldn’t convert.

Indian goalkeeper Savita, like she had done throughout the tournament, was once again at the top of her job to keep Ireland strikes out and India ahead.

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But, the defence was finally broken just two minutes into the fourth quarter when Ireland converted a penalty corner with a variation. Kathryn Mullan scored through a perfect deflection. Not a minute later and Ireland doubled their lead. This time Lizzie Colvin converted a penalty corner in the 48th minute which became the difference between the two teams.