India lost 3-4 to New Zealand in its final Pool B match but managed to qualify for the crossovers of the FIH Women’s World Cup as the third-best team in its group.
New Zealand has topped the pool with seven points ahead of England, which is at 4, while India and China finished on two points each but progressed due to better goal difference.
As per the tournament format, the top four sides from four pools will directly qualify for the quarter finals round, while the second and third teams will feature in the crossovers. Now, the winner of the crossover matches will grab the remaining four quarterfinal spots.
It should have been game, set, and match for India in the regulation time of 60 minutes if not for an uncountable missed chance, including a total of 15 penalty corners, of which it converted just one.
India will now play the second-placed team in Pool C to qualify for the quarterfinals in Terrassa, Spain, on Sunday.
Vandana Katariya in the 4th minute, Lalremsiami in 44th, and Gurjit Kaur in the 59th minute were the goal scorers for India on Thursday. New Zealand scored by Olivia Merry in the 12th and 54th minute, Tessa Jopp in 29th, and Frances Davies in the 32nd minute.
India defeated Vandana deflected in Lalremsiami’s push after a quick turn from inside the Pool D in the 4th minute.
In the 10th minute, Shamila Devi had the opportunity to hand India the lead from a one-one situation with New Zealand goalkeeper Brooke Roberts, only to stutter but secure India’s first penalty corner. During the match, Gurjit’s powerful flick from the resultant set-piece was saved by Roberts.
New Zealand secured its first penalty corner in the 12th minute, and Olivia Merry shot through the legs of India’s skipper and keeper Savita to level the scores.
Lalremsiami was denied by an onrushing New Zealand goalie Roberts from a one-one situation, resulting in another penalty corner, but Deep Grace Ekka’s shot was wide three minutes into the second quarter.
India was penalized by New Zealand for a lapse in concentration a minute before half-time when Jopp scored a goal.
New Zealand attacked after the change of ends and secured back-to-back set pieces, and the second was converted by Davies.
India secured penalty corners in numbers but failed to utilize the chances.
India’s Lalremsiami pulled a goal back in the 44th minute, deflecting Sushila Chanu’s pass. India went offensive in the final quarter and secured a barrage of PCs.
New Zealand secured its two-goal lead back when Merry scored from another set-piece.
Gurjit finally scored from a set-piece when she converted India’s 13th penalty corner of the game in the 59th minute.
In the final minute, India secured two more PCs but wasted both.
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