| Harpal Singh Bedi New Delhi India commenced their debut campaign in the FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League with a emphatic 7 – 1 win over China in the Sultan Qaboos Complex in Muscat, Oman.Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (47’, 52’), Navneet Kaur (5’), Neha (12’), Vandana Katariya (40’), Sharmila Devi (48’) and Gurjit Kaur (50’) were the scorers for the winners. Deng Xue scored the solitary goal for China in the 43rd minute. India began aggressively and their high pressing style which proved to be effective as they controlled the majority of possession. Navneet Kaur gave her side the lead in the 5th minute, after she rebounded home Sharmila Devi’s initial effort which came off the post.India doubled their advantage in the 12th minute through Neha, who finished from close range after Nisha’s skilful attacking foray from the left flank. In the second quarter, India dominated possession and had two good chances but failed to convert them Lalremsiami earned first penalty corner for the team midway through the quarter, Gurjit Kaur’s drag flick was saved by goalkeeper Wu Surong. Sharmila Devi had another chance in the 29th minute when she went clean through on goal one-on-one against the goalkeeper, but Wu Surong made another valiant save. India increased their lead further after half time through a brilliant effort by Vandana Katariya in the 40th minute. China reduced the deficit in the 43rd minute through a goal scored by Deng Xue. India then pumped in four goals in the final quarter. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam scored converting a penalty stroke in the 47th minute. A minute later, Sharmila Devi made it 5-1 .Lalremsiami earned second penalty stroke after showing exceptional skill and speed to beat her defender, which was converted by Gurjit Kaur in the 50th minute.India won their third penalty stroke of the match in the 52nd minute, which was finished again by Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam as she nabbed a brace to end the game 7 – 1. |