Hockey (women): India
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Asian Champions Trophy
2023
Semi finals: India beats South Korea
Arnab Seal, Nov 5, 2023: The Times of India
Ranchi : Playing for India for the first time in her home state, it seems Salima Tete can do no wrong. Having already scored four goals in the group stage, the girl from Simdega district in Jharkhand once again lit up Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium when she scored a blinder in India’s 2-0 win against South Korea in the semifinal.
In the final of Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, India will now face off against Japan, who beat China 2-1 in the first semifinal of the day.
The game was into the 11th minute when Salima ran down the centre and played the ball to Vandana on the left. The senior-most player in the team passed it to Udita at the top of the D and she played it to Salima, who ran down through the Korean defence unopposed.
Udita’s final pass couldn’t have been much better and Salima on the run controlled the ball, had a couple of touches to take it away from the defenders and then played it into the net through the legs of goalkeeper Eunji Kim. The pace at which it happened took South Korea by surprise and all they could do was be awed by the move. But with players of the men’s hockey team like PR Sreejesh, Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh in attendance, along with coach Craig Fulton, Salima wasn’t done for the day.
As the crowd cheered her on, she grabbed India’s third PC of the match four minutes into the second quarter after a nice one-two with Navneet Kaur. This time Deep Grace Ekka took the flick and goalkeeper Jinmin Lee, who came in the second quarter, dived to the right in bid to keep out the shot. However, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, who made the insertion, was there to score off the rebound.
Vaishnavi, who was on the reserve list and replaced Sonika before the last-group match, had her back towards the goal but was still able to flick it into the net.
As for Salima, even though she didn’t score any more goals and wasn’t able to create any clear-cut chances, she did have the South Koreans on their toes every minute of the game and forced Su Ji Choi to make a hard tackle on her with just nine minutes left on the clock. It earned the South Korean player a yellow and gave India the advantage. But to the dismay of coach Janneke Schopman, India failed to make use of it as Jyoti and Vandana were also shown yellow in the 53rd and 55th minutes respectively. As a result, when South Korea won their last PC of the match towards the very end, there were nine Indian players on the field against 11 South Koreans.
The other cause of concern is the penalty corners. Although India won a total of six, they could convert only one. Earlier, Japan scored a controversial goal to down China 2-1 in the first semifinal of the day. Malaysia also beat Thailand 1-0 to finish fifth in the tournament.
Finals: India beats Japan, wins the trophy
Vinayakk Mohanarangan, Nov 6, 2023: The Indian Express
Savita Punia did not have much to do in the early part of the Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi. It would not be an exaggeration to say she had to work harder in the pre-tournament press conference where she was bombarded with questions than in the first two matches against Thailand and Malaysia. On the night of the final, the Indian captain came up with a massive performance as India defeated Japan to win the ACT title for the first time since 2016.
Sangita Kumari (17′), Neha (46′), Lalremsiami (57′) and Vandana Katariya (60′) were the scorers as India finished their assignment in Ranchi with seven wins in seven matches.
If you are wondering how the plaudits go to a goalkeeper in a match where the scoreline reads 4-0, the final in front of packed stands once again, was closer than that suggests. Savita came up with multiple saves on the night to keep her side in the lead, first in the second quarter when she was sharp from a series of Penalty Corners for Japan. Then came the big moment in the final quarter when Japan won a Penalty Stroke. With sufficient time left in the match, a goal there would have brought Japan in the game. But the Indian captain put out her left foot in time to prevent the ball from going in.
India then hit Japan on the counter to add gloss to the scoreline with two late goals.
Jude Menezes – the Indian Olympian who has spent a considerable time between the post would say, “Savita kept them in the contest early. A goal then, and it would have been a different game. And with that stroke save too, she absolutely changed the game basically,” Menezes said.
Hard yards
On the first rest day of the tournament, only the Indian goalkeepers trained. But that wasn’t new for Savita. As she had said then, they have always put in the hard yards especially after the arrival of head coach Janneke Schopman. The former Dutch star puts them through the paces every chance she gets, and training for quick reflexes to making back-to-back saves and getting ready to deal with Penalty Strokes is how majority of the session was spent.
And it is exactly on those fronts that Savita delivered. The 33-year-old doesn’t wear her heart on the sleeve but she put her stick up and punched the air quietly, as she pointed to the dugout. As if to tell her coach that those extra hours paid off on the night that mattered.
“I know she is always ready,” Schopman said after the match. “Today she stepped up when we needed her. It’s good for her, she is a good goalkeeper. Not that I want too many balls on goal, but she stopped all of them and it was good to see.”
India and Japan had met each other twice already in the last month. First, in the bronze medal match at the Asian Games where India bounced back after a heartbreaking defeat in the semifinal against China. Then in the group stage in Ranchi, another close match was edged 2-1 by India. And for the most part, it seemed like this was destined to be a close one too.
Neha and Navneet Kaur, who have played so much together in their careers from their days in Haryana, combined to release Sangita Kumari down the right. India’s leading goalscorer in the tournament (6) didn’t make a mistake. The second quarter saw Japan fight back before an even, end-to-end, sometimes scrappy third quarter.
Then came a dramatic final quarter. India extended their lead early as Deepika found Deep Grace Ekka with a superb back-flick. Deep – the player of the match – got the shot away on goal, Neha got the final touch. After Savita’s save of the stroke, it was Lalremsiami who scored from another PC rebound. After struggling most of the tournament with the short corners, India picked the right night to step things up a notch.
“Sometimes the girls just need a little bit of a wake-up call. I didn’t even show them the PCs from the semifinal, I just told them it wasn’t just good enough. We were all making mistakes. I said to them, ‘don’t have to score all the time, but execute’. Today one of the players decided themselves on a variation. That’s where growth is in the tournament,” Schopman added.
In the end, after back-to-back tournaments in the space of a month, India would have perhaps liked to win the title more in Hangzhou (with Olympic qualification on the line) given the option to pick one. But Schopman has been saying all week, “I know we are a good team,” and Savita Punia’s side showed just that.
Junior Women’s World Cup
INDIAN GIRLS HOLD NERVE, GAIN BRONZE
2013: First-Ever World Cup Medal For India In Women’s Hockey
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: It was celebration time for country’s hockey lovers as India held their nerves to beat a fancied England 3-2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal in the Junior Women’s World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany on Sunday.
Defending champions the Netherlands, who India lost to in the semifinals, lifted the trophy by beating Argentina 4-2 on penalties.
The Indian girls showed maturity beyond their age in the thrilling match to clinch the bronze, thus becoming the first women’s hockey team from India to win a medal in a World Cup. India’s gamble to field goalkeeper Bigan Soy for the first time in the tournament during the penalties paid off as she came up with several saves to help the team finish on the podium.
India’s coach Neil Hawgood said after the match. “Our goalkeeper Bigan Soy, who had not played even a minute in the whole tournament, did a great job. It was (always) clear, (that) when it comes down to shootouts, she will be in the goal,” he was quoted as saying.
Rani, who was later named “Player of the Tournament”, opened the account for India in the 13th minute of the match before England equalized in the 55th through Anna Toman as both team teams finished the regulation time tied 1-1. The penalty shootout saw more misses than hits as both the sides failed to score from four strokes each. India scored from their first attempt while England converted their last one. Rani scored from India’s first stroke after Toman missed England’s first. No goals were scored from the next six as England went to their final shot trailing 0-1 in the shootout. After Emily Defroand found the target to level the score, India needed to score their final hit to win.
But Poonam Rani failed to score. In the sudden death, Rani and Defroand scored for their teams respectively before Poonam Rani missed to give England a chance to wrap up the match. But Shona McCallin failed to take advantage. Navneet Kaur, who had earlier missed a penalty, rose to the occasion by scoring in her attempt while Toman could not convert to hand the Indian girls a welldeserved win.
This was the best finish by the team in the event, having finished outside topeight in their earlier three attempts.
HI announces cash reward
Hockey India (HI) on Sunday announced that each member of team will be rewarded with a cash prize of Rs one lakh, according to agencies. Chief coach Hawgood will also receive a cash reward of Rs one lakh.
2022
India beats Germany, enters quarterfinals
April 4, 2022: The Times of India
Potchefstroom: The Indian women’s hockey team stunned formidable Germany 2-1 to register its second consecutive win in pool stages and assure a place in the quarterfinals of the FIH Junior World Cup here on Sunday. I India, who thrashed a lowly Wales 5-1 in their opening Pool D match, scored through two penalty corner conversions by Lalremsiami (2nd minute) and Mumtaz Khan (25th) to emerge winners. Germany’s lone goal was scored by Jule Bleuel in the 57th minute. The Indians will finish off their pool engagements against Malaysia on April 5 before the quarterfinal round which starts on April 8. India are currently atop Pool D with two wins from as many games ahead of second-placed Germany. Two teams each from pools will qualify for the knock-out rounds. Against Germany, India took the lead as early as in the second minute when Lalremsiami scored from a rebound after Deepika’s dragflick from a penalty corner was saved by German goalkeeper Mali Wichmann. Thereafter, Germany proceedings and earned a handful of penalty corners by putting relentless pressure on the Indian defence, which stood firm. India goalkeeper Bichu Devi Karibam had an excellent match as she not only denied the Germans from penalty corners on number of occasions but also pulled off a brilliant save to keep out a penalty stroke by Jette Fleschutz in the second quarter. India scored from two of the three penalty corners they managed in the first two quarters. PTI
2023
India beat USA
Dec 11, 2023: The Times of India
India beat USA to finish 9th at Jr Women’s WC
Santiago: Goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo shone under the bar as India eked out a 3-2 win over USA in sudden death to finish ninth at the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup here. Both India and USA displayed tremendous grit as the match ended at 2-2 in regulation time. Kindo then produced an amazing save in sudden death, while Rutaja Dadaso Pisal calmly converted her shot to lead India to victory.
Women’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup
2023
Indian Archers finish
June 11, 2023: The Times of India
Kakamigahara, Japan : Sunelita Toppo fired a field goal as India eked out a narrow 1-0 win overs hosts Japan to enter the final of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament. The win also sealed their berth in the FIH Junior World Cup slated to be held in Santiago from November 29-December 10 this year. The top three teams from the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 make the cut for the global showpiece.
This was also India’s only second entry in Junior Asia Cup final after their 2012.
After goalless three quarters, Sunelita finally broke the de adlock in the 47th minute to seal the issue. India will play either China or Korea in the final on Sunday. It was a keenly-contested match between the two sides and both looked in no mood to give an inch to each other till Sunelita’s strike.
Both India and Japan had ample scoring chances, including as many as 12 penalty corners each but failed to utilise the set pieces.
India started on an aggressive n ote in the match and enjoyed early possession besides also making a couple of circle penetrations. PTI
India wins title
June 12, 2023: The Times of India
Kakamigahara : India put up a collective show to stun four-time champions South Korea 2-1 and clinch their maiden Women’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup.
Annu and Neelam scored for India while Park Seo Yeon was the lone goal scorer for Korea. After a barren first quarter, India got going with a 22nd minute goal by Annu from a penalty corner.
Annu made amends for her miss in the semifinal against Japan, as she stepped up in style to beat the goalkeeper and give India the lead against the run of play.
South Korea took three minutes to bring it level when Park Seo Yeon struck from the right following a brilliant surge from the right. Neelam struck powerfully to the low right of the South Korean goalkeeper to help India regain the lead in the 41st minute. India held on to their slender lead in the third quarter to seal the issue. South Korea had a lot of chances with India generously giving themPCs one after the other, but they failed to convert.
Before this, India’s best ever finish in the tournament was in 2012 edition in Bangkok when they entered the final of the continental showpiece for the first time, only to lose to China 2-5. Indian captain Preeti who was named Player-of the-Match said they had their strategy in place following a 1-1 draw against the Koreans in the round-robin stage.
“We were acutely aware of the specific areas we needed to excel in order to overcomethe Koreans,” Preeti said.
HI announces cash rewards
Hockey India has declared a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for each player while the support staff will receive Rs 1 lakh for their splendid show. “We are filled with immense pride as the Indian Junior Women’s team clinched their maiden Junior Asia Cup, leaving us all in awe. It will serve as a strong foundation for their upcoming challenge at the Junior World Cup later this year,” HI president Dilip Tirkey said. PTI
Women’s Nations Cup
2022
Hindol Basu, January 1, 2023: The Times of India
Following up on their brilliant run at the Tokyo Olympics, where they finished fourth, the Indian women’s hockey team showed they are on the right track by winning the prestigious FIH Women’s Nations Cup in Spain in December. Savita Punia & Co. defeated Spain in the final by a solitary goal scored by Gurjit Kaur. In the eightteam event, India won all three of their group matches to advance to the semifinals where they overcame a determined Ireland on penalties after both teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time. The team also clinched a bronze at the Birmingham CWG, defeating New Zealand in the penalty shootout.
YEAR-WISE STATISTICS/ TRENDS
1980, 1982
Poorly equipped at the Olympics; gold at Asiad
August 7, 2021: The Times of India
The 1980 Moscow Olympics
When we went to Moscow, I think we were registered for the tournament at the last minute. We had no proper kit, no proper tracksuit. All of us went to the matches wearing different shoes; they did not fit properly. [She talks of the team wearing thin canvas shoes of all sizes.]
The shoes were so bad that when we played on the astroturf, our shoes were soaked in water and we had to squeeze out the water every day and dry them. This is what the players went through playing for India.
The preparation [for the Olympics] was far from ideal. The camp took place in the police grounds and we stayed in barracks. There was a thin tin roof [over us] and the ground was made of mud. When we went to Moscow, our coach did not come along with us. The person who did accompany us was an administrator, a good one, but he wasn’t our coach. To acclimatise ourselves we reached Moscow 10 days earlier.
In order to practise, we did not get the ground at the right time because they [the administrator] did not ask for the ground. There were specific slots given to each team for a fixed time. We did not get the ground at the right time because we did not put in the request at the right time.
So, we were hanging around at the bus stop, waiting to be taken back to the Olympic Village. It was that sort of a scenario. Even before the tournament started, we were all tired. That's what happened.
The 1982 Asian Games
We went to play the Asian championships in Japan in 1981. We won the tournament and played matches across the country. The sponsor was watching us in one or two of the matches. I think they were impressed by us, so we got to play the Asian Games with a good kit from Asics. Walking into the ground with a good kit makes a difference. Half the battle is won then.
We were the first team to be given a kit from a sponsor because they knew what our true potential was. A lot of other teams were surprised to see our kits in the Asian Games.
I was the captain for the 1982 Asian Games where we won the gold medal. That was the greatest moment of joy I have ever had. No other Indian women’s team has since won the medal at Asiad. It was a round robin tournament so we had to play against all the six sides who were there. We topped the group and won the gold medal.
2015: earn Olympic berth after 36 years
The Times of India, Aug 30 2015
Women make Olympic cut after 36 years Having finished fifth at the World Hockey League semi-finals in Antwerp (Belgium) in early July 2015 , only a few mega upsets could have prevented India's women's hockey team from making the cut for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Therefore, it was not surprising when the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced in late August 2015 that Rani Rampal & Co. had booked their ticket for the mega competition after a gap of 36 years, once England made it to the final of the ongoing EuroHockey Championships in London after beating Spain. One berth was freed up because England, and the other finalist Netherlands -who beat Germany in the other last-four clash -have already qualified for the Games.
2016
Asian Champions
The Times of India, Nov 5, 2016
The Indian women's hockey team ended the disappointment of finishing 12th at the Olympic Games, by lifting their maiden Asian Champions Trophy by beating China 2-1 in November. It took social media seconds to go berserk and the women's team was lauded for its feat from all corners. Their victory came less than a week after Indian men beat Pakistan for the Asian Champions Trophy title. Befittingly, Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for each player and chief coach Neil Hawgood.
Hockey: India beat China 2-1 to win Women's Asian Champions Trophy
HIGHLIGHTS
Deepika scored the winner in the dying minutes to give India 2-1 victory.
Deep Grace Ekka put India in the lead via a penalty corner in the 13th minute.
Zhong Mengling scored a fine field goal in the 44th minute to make it 1-1.
The Indian women's hockey team lifted its maiden Asian Champions Trophy after Deepika Thakur struck in the final minute to give her team a thrilling 2-1 win over China in the final.
Earlier, Deep Grace Ekka converted a penalty corner to take India into the lead in the 13th minute before China equalised in the 44th minute through a field goal from Zhong Mengling.
The welcome result for the Indian women's team comes days after men beat Pakistan to reclaim the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia. India's best finish in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy came in the last edition in 2013 when it finished runner-up to Japan. It had finished third in the inaugural edition in 2010.
Having learnt from their group stage encounter, India refused to let China take early control of the ball, closing them down high up the pitch, often intercepting their passes and constantly putting pressure by hunting in packs. When in possession, the Indian eves held their nerve and passed the ball around neatly to penetrate China's circle. This slightly different approach to their game compared to Friday helped them earn India's first PC of the game in the 13th minute.
An innovative set-piece saw Deep perfectly send the ball past the Chinese keeper for the early lead. Going into the second quarter, India kept up the pressure by playing disciplined hockey, keeping their calm only to deny the Chinese a chance to equalise. However, the third quarter saw China's Mengling Zhong penetrate the Indian circle to score a quick field goal. But the Indian eves were unrelenting and were playing the kind of hockey that had China on the backfoot.
Though fortunes changed hands by the minute, neither team dropped the intensity going into the fourth quarter. For India, it was Rani who was acting like a lynchpin, attempting to penetrate the Chinese D to earn a PC and she found a chance with just minutes left before the final hooter went off. It was a do-or-die situation for India and it was their best chance to score. Deepika, the highest goal scorer of the tournament took the onus on to herself to convert a sensational goal with just 30 seconds to go for the final hooter, sending the Indian supports into bursts of cheers.
For the team's triumph, Hockey India on Saturday also announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each for the players and chief coach Neil Hawgood. Besides this, the federation also announced Rs 1 lakh for the other support staff of the team. A cash award for Rs 1 lakh was announced for Deepika, the highest scorer of the tournament.
Under-18 Asia Cup: bronze
Indian girls clinch bronze Dec 23 2016 : The Times of India
Sangita Kumari scored twice as India blanked Korea 3-0 to clinch a bronze medal in the 4th Women's Under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament in Dec 2016 .
Win Asia Cup
From: The Times of India, November 6, 2017
See graphic:
Indian women win Asia Cup, 2017, some highlights
2019
2019: In a first, psychologist to tour with team
Manuja Veerappa, January 30, 2019: The Times of India
On an average, every member of India’s women’s hockey team, including the reserves, spends 300 days away from home. These players battle home sickness, loneliness and mental fatigue. This in turn affects performances.
With the senior team eyeing Olympic qualification this year, the team management has, for the first time, roped in a psychologist who will travel with the team on tours. The management felt it was essential for a full-time psychologist to travel with the team.
Prior to the Rani Rampal-led team’s departure for the ongoing tour of Spain, Priyanka, a psychologist attached to the Sports Authority of India, was sanctioned to travel with the team.
Speaking about the importance of a psychologist with the team, Sjoerd Marjine, the chief coach, explained, “She has been working with the team for a while now but that’s during the camps. We realized that was a shortcoming because the psychologist doesn’t really see the players in match situation. So, we felt it was very important for her to see the players in match situations to study how they react to situations on and off the field. Also, it is important for her to analyze how the group dynamics is when we play consecutive matches and how the players react to victory and defeat.”
The Dutchman also felt that the inclusion of a sports psychologist will enhance his communication with the players and within the team.
“We also want to improve communication within the team and that of the players with me. We want to see the girls play to their potential in big matches and for that we need to address the mental aspect as well. There are times the girls have something on their minds, but given the culture they come from they don’t easily open up to a coach. But with Priyanka in the mix now, I believe we can bridge the gap faster now,” explained Marjine.
Skipper Rani also feels that working with Priyanka and having her on tour is a huge boost for the team. “She focuses on our strengths, makes us do different kinds of fun team activities which helps in bonding.”
India clinches Korea series
May 23, 2019: The Times of India
The Indian women’s hockey team came from a goal down to eke out a close 2-1 win over South Korea in the second game and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-march series. The Indians had earlier defeated Korea by identical margin in the opening game of the series.
India will take on Korea in the inconsequential last match. Skipper Rani Rampal (37th minute) and Navjot Kaur (50th) scored for India after Lee Seungju gave South Korea the lead in the 19th minute through a field strike. The match started on an aggressive note with both teams trading penalty corners in the first quarter but respective goalkeepers made fine saves to keep a clean slate.
India wins FIH Series
June 24, 2019: The Times of India
Indian women bag title
Beat Japan 3-1 In Thrilling Contest
Hiroshima:
Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur, who has been on a song, struck twice after skipper Rani Rampal provided the lead as India outplayed Japan 3-1 to clinch the FIH Women’s Series Finals.. Leading from the front, captain Rani found the net as early as third minute but Japan’s Kanon Mori equalised in the 11th minute.
Gurjit scored in the 45th and 60th minutes to lead India to an emphatic victory. The world number nine Indian team had already qualified for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers 2019 after securing a place in the Final of the competition.
Rani was adjudged the best player of the tournament while Gurjit emerged the top-scorer. The Indian skipper struck the ball sweetly along the ground, beating the Japanese goalkeeper Akio Tanaka on her right side to give India a 1-0 advantage.
India’s dominance saw them win their second penalty corner in the ninth minute, but the team gave a foul away in the execution. Japan were unable to create opportunities for themselves as they could only manage two circle entries in the entire first 15 minutes.
But, when they did enter the circle on the second occasion, the Japanese forward-line combined to score an equalizer from their very first shot at goal.
It was Sakurako Omoto who picked up the ball at the 25-yard line, and played in a pass on the right flank to Yuri Nagai on the baseline, who then played a pass across goal which was successfully deflected by Kanon Mori onto the Indian Goalkeeper Savita, who could not react in time and conceded the goal.
The second quarter also saw India maintain possession which saw forward Vandana Katariya miss a good opportunity in the 18th minute as she picked up a loose clearance from just outside the striking circle, and ran into it to take a strike, but her shot went just wide of the post across goal.
Japan, on the other hand, also started to get into their rhythm, and tried to create chances by using the flanks, but India’s defensive cohesion made sure that they did not concede again. World number nine India controlled possession well as they made five circle entries compared to Japan’s zero.
The likes of Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Lilima Minz stepped up to help break Japanese attacks, and rotated the ball comfortably to create opportunities for India. However, a better performance by the Japanese defense in the final few minutes of the second quarter meant that both the teams went into the half-time break level at 1-1.
India stepped up their attacking flair again in the opening minutes of the third quarter winning two penalty corners but could not convert them into a second goal. Both the teams tried to look to take the important lead, with Japan making two circle entries and getting two shots away, while India made 8 entries and took 5 shots. However, the last of those 5 shots was the one which gave India the lead as constant pressure on the Japanese in the latter stages of the third quarter saw India win another penalty corner through captain Rani. PTI
Indian junior women’s hockey team defeats NZ
The Indian junior women’s hockey team started its campaign at the three-nation tournament on a positive note, beating New Zealand 2-0 in Canberra, Australia. Striker Lalrindiki (15th minute) and midfielder Prabhleen Kaur (60th) were the two goal scorers for the winners.
Women’s hockey team qualifies for Olympics
Jaspreet Sahni, Nov 2, 2019: The Times of India
Key Highlights
Indian women's hockey team sealed its place in next year's Olympic Games after beating USA 6-5 on aggregate
India lost the second match 1-4 in the double-leg FIH Qualifiers at the Kalinga Stadium
Indian women have participated in the 1980 Moscow Olympics and qualified again in Rio after 36 years
BHUBANESWAR: Fifth minute - India 0 USA 1. Fourteenth minute - India 0 USA 2. Twentieth minute - India 0 USA 3. Twenty-eighth minute - India 0 USA 4. Aggregate scores level. India women were ahead by four goals after winning the first game on Friday 5-1. But the USA made it even-stevens inside the first half of the second here at the Kalinga Stadium 24 hours later. Minute No. 49. Rani Rampal lurks at top of the American circle, waving, crying for the ball. It comes. The skipper takes aim. GOAL! India now had the numbers to take them to the Olympics. And it happened. After 11 goal-less minutes that followed, the Indian girls jumped in controlled joy, as they had lost. But the bigger result -- they are going to Tokyo, the third Olympic appearance for India's women hockey.
USA won 4-1, but India won the two-match tie 6-5 on aggregate.
The US women couldn't believe it. They had done what they had arrived for on Saturday. Amanda Magadan's two goals and strikes by captain Kathleen Sharkey and Alyssa Parker realised the hope their team slept with on Friday. But it was India who managed to check in to Tokyo. 1980 Moscow, 2016 Rio and now 2020.
It was a game India would want to remember for the objective achieved rather than the way they played. Rani, who has been central to India's Olympic dreams for more than a decade now, saved her best for the last. And a disaster was averted.
It looked India hadn't arrived on the pitch for the second game. The US played with purpose, swarmed the Indian players whenever they had the ball. Inside their 25-yard, the US women didn't give the home team's strikers room to maneuver. The script was going the US way and decibels of the shouts from the stands decreased with every minute.
At half-time, the game stood on level terms. USA were up 4-0, and had erased India's advantage, leaving everything to play for.
At half-time, a pep talk in the Indian change-room went like this: "I told the girls, it's 0-0," said Marijne after the match. "It's your moment, go out with your head up."
It worked, but only in not allowing US score anymore goals in the third quarter. India fell back well after losing possession and started defending in numbers. The US strikers were visibly frustrated to see things changing.
"Trailing 0-4, you need to work harder. I think the girls put in a lot of energy till the last moment," said star of the match Rani.
And then the 49th minute arrived, which will remain etched in the memories of Indian fans, especially the likes of teenagers like Laremsiami, Sharmila Devi and Salima Tete, who would have never experienced anything like this before. Rani had scored the goal that earned India the ticket to Tokyo.
Coach Sjoerd Marijne, though, may not have any nails left, as the game tested the mental strength of the best. But he isn't just contend with reaching the Olympics.
"The preparations starts tomorrow," he replied, when asked where's the party tonight?
It will be a hard one for US hockey, where the game is predominantly women-oriented. Not going to the Olympics won't do any good to the funding they would need to grow the game. But that's to be pondered later.
This moment belongs to India's women's hockey that has had a tremendous run over the last 18 months, and it couldn't have reaped a better result.
India beats New Zealand 4-1
Indian women’s hockey team beats New Zealand 4-1
Sharmila Devi struck twice as the Indian junior women’s hockey team secured a superb 4-1 win over New Zealand in its third match of the 3-Nations Tournament in Canberra on Saturday. India came from a goal down to defeat their opponents after New Zealand's Olivia Shannon (4th minute) had scored for her side. AGENCIES
2020
Lalremsiami is FIH Rising Star of the Year
Lalremsiami is FIH Rising Star of the Year, February 12, 2020: The Times of India
Lausanne:
India forward Lalremsiami has been named as the 2019 FIH Women’s Rising Star of the Year, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) said. The 19-year-old attacker took the prize ahead of Argentina’s Julieta Jankunas and Frederique Matla of the Netherlands, who finished second and third respectively.
The player from Mizoram got 40 per cent of all the votes cast. She got 47.7 per cent of her votes from among national associations, while the media, fans/players contributed 28.4 per cent and 36.4 per cent respectively.
2021
The team that entered the Olympic semi-finals
August 6, 2021: The Times of India
The Indian women's hockey team might have just missed a historic bronze medal, but they won everyone's hearts. The staunchest of critics were made to sit up and applaud. This was just the third time in the history of the Games that the Indian women's hockey team was making an appearance. They made it through to the semi-finals, for the first time ever, but then had to face two close defeats (vs Argentina and Great Britain) as they fell heartbreakingly short of what would have been a historic medal for Indian women's hockey.
But, despite the fact that a medal was lost, the Tokyo Games campaign could well be a watershed moment for Indian women's hockey overall.
Here's a look at the hockey bravehearts who fought till the very end:
Rani (Captain and Forward) - 1 goal
Arguably India's most successful player to date, Rani has been with the Indian team since the age of 14, when she made her debut at the 2008 Olympic qualifiers. The team lost to the USA and failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. But leading the team in 2015, it was a goal by Rani, who is the product of the famous women's hockey nursery in Shahabad, which sealed India's qualification for the Rio Games. Incidentally, it was again a goal scored by her in the qualifiers against USA in 2019 which booked a berth for the India women in their second consecutive Olympics for the Tokyo Games. Rani owes her success to childhood coach Baldev Singh who turned a six-year-old kid into a lethal striker and one of India's best players. At the age of 15, Rani was the youngest player in the Indian team which played the 2010 World Cup. Rani hails from Shahabad Markanda in Haryana.
Vandana Katariya (Forward) - 4 goals
Vandana's hat-trick in the must-win pool game against South Africa in Tokyo this time made her the first woman hockey player from India to score a hat-trick at the Olympics. The 29-year-old seasoned performer shot to fame at the 2013 junior World Cup, where India won a bronze medal. The prolific forward played a stellar role in the campaign scoring five goals. Her father passed away three months ago, and Covid-related restrictions didn't allow her to leave the camp in Bengaluru and travel home to attend the last rites.
Neha Goyal (Midfielder) - 1 goal
Neha broke into the junior India squad as a 14-year-old in 2011, after enduring a traumatic childhood. She was also part of India's silver medal-winning 2018 Asian Games campaign. Hockey came into her life by way of her mother, who worked at a cycle factory and got Neha admitted in a hockey academy. She didn't want her daughter's mind to be scarred by the abuse Neha's alcoholic father would subject her mother to.
Savita Punia (goal-keeper)
Like goalkeeper PR Sreejesh is to the men's team, Savita is the 'Wall' that guards the Indian women team's post with stupendous success. A product of the Sports Authority of India academy in Hisar, Haryana, Savita is one of the pillars of the team along with the likes of Rani and Vandana. The veteran custodian has been instrumental in India's historic campaign in Tokyo, and has medals from the 2014 (bronze) and 2018 (silver) Asian Games to her name.
Navneet Kaur (Forward) - 1 goal
Navneet is one of the three players in India's Tokyo Olympics squad, who are a product of the Shahabad academy, with Rani and Navjot Kaur being the other two. Her father, Buta Singh, used to assist coach Baldev Singh with paperwork at the Shahabad academy, while her daughter honed her hockey skills. A consistently-scoring forward, Navneet was the one who converted the penalty stroke that won India the bronze medal at 2013 Junior World Cup. In Tokyo as well, it was her goal in the 1-0 win over Ireland that kept India in the hunt for a place in the quarterfinals.
Lalremsiami (Forward)
The brightest young striker of the team and a Youth Olympics silver medallist, Lalremsiami's team-first mentality rubs off on her co-players. The 21-year-old has also been the 2019 FIH Women's Rising Star of the Year. She faced serious language issues after breaking into the national team, since she was only fluent in her local Mizoram language, but she has come a long way since then. Her self-less and team-first mentality showed up in her decision to not leave the team during the FIH Series Finals in Hiroshima for the funeral of her father, who died a day before the team's semifinal.
Gurjit Kaur (Defender & Drag-Flicker) - 4 goals
This defender is considered the best drag-flicker any Indian women's team has produced to date. It was her penalty-corner conversion in the quarterfinal against Australia that took India through to its maiden and historic Olympic semifinal with a 1-0 victory against strong gold-medal favourites. The Amritsar girl belongs to a humble farming family and developed a love for hockey during her schooldays.
Deep Grace Ekka (Defender)
The dependable defender first held a hockey stick when she was 12, but like her brother, Grace wanted to put on the goalkeeping pads. However, she was advised to shun the idea. That's when she started working on her skills as a defender and hasn't looked back since. She was also part of India's 2014 and 2018 podium finishes at the Asian Games.
Sushila Chanu (Midfielder)
The Rio 2016 captain missed the 2018 World Cup and Asian Games because of an injury, but the midfielder, who turned a seasoned pro since her days as the 2013 Junior World Cup bronze medallist, not only recovered well, but also played the influential role of a senior member in the Tokyo campaign.
Nikki Pradhan (Defender)
It's not easy to grow in the Naxalite-infested region of Jharkhand and dream of playing for India. Defender Nikki managed to do that, tiding over a number of other troubles and also made it to the Olympic squad to become a living example of 'dreams coming true'.
Salima Tete (Midfielder)
The teenage midfielder from Jharkhand led the country's historic 2018 Youth Olympics campaign, where India ended up winning a silver medal. She started playing hockey with wooden sticks. Her village had just one television set and that too didn't work properly. Reportedly, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren got a Smart TV installed at her residence, so that the family could proudly watch their daughter play.
Udita Duhan (Defender)
Haryana girl Udita made it to the senior India squad in 2017. Her love for handball in the initial years turned into a passion for hockey and it didn't take long for her to learn the skills and move up the ranks in the domestic structure to knock on the national team selection door.
Nisha Warsi (Midfielder)
Nisha made her international debut only as recently as 2019 and didn't get many chances to showcase her skills at the top level after Covid-19 struck the world at the beginning of 2020. Supported by a family with meager means, Nisha will now be proud of having represented the Indian women's team at its joint most successful Olympic outing ever.
Monika Malik (Midfielder)
Monika's playmaking skills from the midfield are highly regarded in the Indian circuit, which has made her a crucial member of the squad and her experience counted when it mattered the most during the crunch games at Tokyo 2020.
Sharmila Devi (Forward) - 1 goal
Another baby of the squad, Sharmila has made giant strides in Tokyo as a fearless striker with breathtaking runs down the flanks. She flew to Tokyo with an experience of just nine international games but will return as one of the biggest positives of India's campaign that saw them end with a very creditable 4th place finish.
Navjot Kaur (Midfielder)
The Shahabad midfielder appeared on the international turf in 2012 for the first time and has never looked back since. Another player from a humble background, Navjot is a key figure in the Indian team.
2023
WOMEN: SENIOR
● Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier: Winners
● Asian Games: Third Asian Champions Trophy: Winners
JUNIOR
● Junior Asia Cup: Winners
● FIH Junior World Cup: Ninth
