The Indian Women’s Hockey team on Saturday brought up their second victory of the FIH Pro League when they beat Australia 1-0 at Rourkela. Vandana Katariya scored the all-important goal from a penalty corner.
The Indian team had lost 3-0 to the same opponents barely a fortnight ago and the team produced a befitting reply to that defeat.
Australia were dominant in the early stages of the game as Jane Claxton threatened to put the visitors in front with a penalty corner. However, the Indian defence were up to the task to defend it.
India took the lead in the third quarter when India converted a penalty corner. Vandana Katariya, who missed India’s Olympic qualifying campaign, showed exactly what India missed with a deft touch. Katariya pressed hard right in front of goal that resulted in a turnover of possession. India worked the ball into the circle and Katariya won a penalty corner. She dived to convert it as India took a well-deserved lead.
The Indian women defended valiantly the rest of the game to make sure Australia did not get a chance to make a comeback in spite of the slim margin.
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