Muscat, Feb 1 (UNI): India continued their winning run in the FIH Women’s Pro League 2021-22, defeating China 2-1 in a thrilling contest here at the Sultan Qaboos Complex on Tuesday.
The Savita-led side’s victory was sealed by two goals from dragflicker Gurjit Kaur (3′, 49′), while Shumin Wang (39′) scored the sole goal for China.
With the win, India climbed to the top of the points table, tied alongside the Netherlands with 6 points in two games. India started the match on the front foot, moving quickly from back to front and bypassing China’s midfield.
India managed to get an early penalty corner in the third minute of the match which was converted by Gurjit with a low yet powerful hit to give her team a 1-0 lead. China immediately started a counter-attack, but Sushila Chanu defended well in her own circle to deny the opposition.
India continued to press high in China’s half and Vandana Katariya received a golden opportunity to score, but her shot from inside the circle went wide off the goalpost.
India kept possession for most of the first quarter, not allowing China to get any move going and maintained their 1-0 lead in the first 15 minutes. At the start of second quarter, China pressed high in India’s circle but Nikki Pradhan defended well to clear the danger.
In the 18th minute, Navneet Kaur tried to find Vandana Katariya inside the circle from the right flanks but her cross went wide and India could not extend their lead.
In the 49th minute, India received their second penalty corner of the fourth quarter and this time Gurjit Kaur converted with another fantastic dragflick, giving India a 2-0 lead.
China started working hard to try and find the equaliser but India kept their calm and ensured no further slip-ups. With five minutes left on the clock, India received two back-to-back penalty corners, but Deep Grace Ekka was unable to convert them into goals.
