Women’s Hockey World Cup 2022: India Beat Canada 3-2 In The Shootout

Indian Women Hockey Captain & Goalkeeper Savita performed excellently & led the team register their first win in Women’s Hockey World Cup.

Captain and goalkeeper Savita performed brilliantly as India registered their first win of the tournament after beating Canada 3-2 in a shoot-out in the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup classification match here on Tuesday. 

After the stipulated time both the teams were tied at 1-1. Madeleine Seco gave Canada the lead in the 11th minute itself but India managed to equalize in the 58th minute with a goal from Salima Tete. 

However, goalkeeper Savita played the most important role in India’s victory, helping the team register its first win of the tournament. 

In the ninth to 16th place classification match, the Indian captain foiled six attempts by the opposition in a shoot-out while Navneet Kaur, Sonika and Neha scored to ensure India’s victory. 

After a disappointing crossover defeat against Spain, India started off on the offensive against Canada. 

After dealing with India’s initial pressure, Canada pushed the ball into goal but the referee disallowed it and awarded a penalty corner and Natalie Sorriseau failed to score. 

Canada got another penalty corner a few minutes later and this time the team scored on variation. Confusing the Indian defense, Kathleen Leahy moved the ball towards Seko who drove it into the goal. 

India made a strong start in the second quarter and broke Canada’s defense several times but failed to score. Monica made several good moves while the trio of Navneet Kaur, Neha and Vandana Katariya kept Canada’s defense under constant pressure. 

Navneet and Vandana made a brilliant move in the 25th minute but their effort was foiled by goalkeeper Rowan Harris.

India continued to attack even after the intermission. Lalremsiami tried to penetrate the Canadian defense but failed. 

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India got a great chance to level but Navjot Kaur’s shot from inside the circle went past the goal post. Savita then made a brilliant defense on the penalty corner to prevent Canada from doubling the lead. 

India got two consecutive penalty corners in the final moments of the third quarter but the team could not convert it into a goal. Canada’s team could not create more chances after the opening goal. 

In the fourth and final quarter as well, India continued to try to score the equalizer. India got many penalty corners but Gurjit Kaur could not convert them into goals. 

India were eventually leveled by Salima Tete when Gurjeet’s drag-flick on the penalty corner was blocked by the Canadian goalkeeper after she scored on the rebound. 

Carly Johansson got a chance to give Canada the lead once again on the penalty corner but she could not score. India will take on Japan on Wednesday in the ninth to 12th place play-offs.