Indian women’s team embraces new-found approach in style
Harmanpreet Kaur reiterated her side’s focus on playing fearless cricket, while crediting the team for starting off the tournament on a confident note.
India continued their winning streak as they routed Malaysia 2-0 in their last Pool A match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2017, held at Kakamigahara Kawasaki Stadium in Japan, on Tuesday.
Vandana Katariya and Gurjit Kaur struck late in 54th and 55th minute, respectively, to ensure India register their third consecutive win and a pass to quarterfinals as table toppers with nine points.
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Malaysia started the game playing defensive hockey, while India too treaded patiently without making any unforced errors.
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In the initial minutes of the second quarter, Malaysia put India on the back foot when they won the first penalty corner. However, an alert Rajani Etimarpu made a brilliant save for India.
Both teams played out evenly in the third quarter as well.
However, India held their nerves to turn the match around in the fourth quarter as they came up with a strong finish. Firstly, it was forward Vandana Katariya who scored a sensational field goal in the 54th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
The following minute saw drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur convert a PC taking India’s lead to 2-0 that put pressure on the Malaysian unit. Even though Malaysia made desperate attempts in the dying minutes of the match, the final scoreline read in the favour of the Indians.
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