Archers Tarundeep, Deepika to commence India’s campaign in Paris Games
Forty-year-old Rai from Sikkim and Deepika from Ranchi in Jharkhand are no spring chickens and, in fact, will compete in their fourth Olympics.
The Indian women's team beat Uruguay 4-2 in the penalty shootout to begin their campaign in the Women's Hockey World League Round 2 on a winning note here.
Skipper Rani, Monika, Deepika and Navjot Kaur held their nerves to score in the tense penalty shootout that saw them through after the two sides were locked 2-2 at the end of the regulation time.
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India got off to a good start and took the lead with skipper Rani scoring as early as in the sixth minute.
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India held on to the lead till the third quarter but Uruguay struck their first goal in the 45th minute to equalise through Maria Teresa Viana Ache.
After a quick two-minute break before the final quarter began, a few key variations brought in by India chief coach Sjoerd Marijne saw Vandana Katariya convert a fine field goal in the 49th minute to take 2-1 lead.
But a defensive error in the striking circle in the 54th minute saw the Indian team concede a penalty stroke which was successfully converted by Uruguay's Manuela Vilar.
In the last six minutes, the Indian forwards made forays into the opposition striking circle but could not fetch a goal eventually leading the match to a penalty shootout.
With the experienced goalkeeper Savita producing a good show, India held their nerves to win 4-2 in the exciting penalty shootout.
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