AMN / Kuala Lumpur
Trailing 2-4 till the 45th minute, Indian women staged a fine come back to hold hosts Malaysia to 4-4 draw in the third game of the five-match hockey series.
Though it was India who established a strong position after taking an early 2-0 lead, the visitors made too many errors inside the circle while defending which led to conceding back-to-back Penalty corners. Malaysia, on the other hand, ensured these opportunities were converted to goals.
After goals scored by Navjot Kaur in the 13th minute and Navneet Kaur scored in the 22nd minute gave India a good start, Gurdip Kirandeep of Malaysia scored the team’s first goal in the 26th minute narrowing the Malaysian deficit to 1-2.
This was Malaysia’s first goal of the tournament after losing to India 0-3 and 0-5 in the previous two matches.
The goal propelled Malaysia to test the Indian defenders. An infringement on India’s part gave away a PC which Nuraini Rashid scored with ease.
Two more penalty corners were converted by Nuramirah Zulkifli in the 35th minute and Nuraini Rashid scored again in the 38th minute.
India bounced back in the final quarter with two brilliant goals scored by Navneet Kaur in the 45th minute and Lalremsiami in the 54th minute, to settle for a draw.
Post-match, Indian Coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “Obviously this wasn’t our best match, we must forget this and move on.” He further emphasized that the team cannot get away with making too many technical errors.
“The girls were too easy going today which resulted in them making too many technical errors in ball possession but we hope to bounce back in the next match,” he added.