USA Pulls Off Shocking Upset Against India in Olympic Hockey Qualifier for Women.

The highly anticipated match between India and the United States in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers began with enthusiasm, marked by fireworks lighting up the skies. However, it concluded in disappointment for the Indian women’s hockey team, as they suffered a 0-1 defeat in the last match of the day. The setback marked a challenging start for India, requiring a crucial win against New Zealand on Sunday to revive their campaign and maintain hopes for the Paris Olympics.

The defeat was a bitter turn of events, especially as the Indian team had previously triumphed over the US in the 2019 qualifiers, securing a spot in the Tokyo Olympics. Abigail Tamer’s goal in the second quarter for the US served as redemption for their past loss.

Looking ahead to the upcoming match against New Zealand, the Indian team recognizes the difficulty, particularly considering New Zealand’s strong performance against Italy on the preceding Saturday. To get back on track, the Indian players need to focus on calming down and executing their game plan effectively.

Reflecting on the loss to the US, player Neha acknowledged that the team was rushing early in the game, leading to missed passes and scoring opportunities. Coach Janeke Schopman also expressed concern, noting a lack of composure and confidence among the players during the match compared to what she observed in training sessions.

From the start, the Indian team found themselves under pressure, with the physicality of the US players catching them off guard. Despite a disallowed goal by the US in the first quarter, the world No. 15 team maintained control, not allowing the Indian players to settle down.

The second quarter saw the US taking the lead with Tamer’s goal, capitalizing on defensive lapses by Monika and Udita. Although the Indian players showed signs of awakening after conceding the goal, winning three consecutive penalty corners, they failed to convert any of them. Sangita Kumari and Navneet Kaur also missed opportunities to score.

Moving into the third quarter, the Indian team struggled to maintain their momentum, allowing the US to continue threatening their goal. Although the US had opportunities to increase their lead, goalkeeper Savita’s efforts denied them. Despite the support of the fans, India couldn’t capitalize on three more penalty corners towards the end of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, there was a fleeting moment of hope as Udita appeared to equalize from their seventh penalty corner. However, the goal was ruled out as the ball had deflected off Jyoti’s foot. Despite a late resurgence and continued efforts, the Indian team fell short, leaving the crowd dispersing in disappointment.

As India prepares for the crucial match against New Zealand, regaining composure, executing the game plan flawlessly, and capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be imperative. The disappointment of the previous defeat must be channeled into a renewed determination to keep their Olympic dreams alive.