Rajgir. The Indian women's hockey team recorded a thrilling 32 win against Korea in their second match of the Bihar Women's Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024 at the Rajgir Sports Complex Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Sangeeta Kumari (3') continued her fine form in front of goal, while Deepika (20', 57') scored two goals to seal India's victory. Lee Yuri (34') and Captain Cheon Eunbi (38') scored goals for Korea in a close match.
It didn't take long for India to get ahead quickly, as Neha intercepted the ball in midfield and got the ball to Navneet Kaur, who passed the ball to Sangeeta Kumari in the shooting circle. Sangeeta scored with a reverse tomahawk, beating Korean goalkeeper Kim Eunji and scoring the first goal for India within minutes of the start of the match. India used a consistent high press, which made Korea struggle to advance towards the Indian goal, on the other hand, the Korean defensive unit continuously harassed the Indian forwards to prevent any further scoring chances in the first quarter.
Korea tried to increase the intensity as the second quarter began and forced India back into their own half, however, India remained unperturbed. Five minutes into the quarter, Sunalita Toppo regained possession of the ball high up the pitch and found Beauty Dungdung on the right wing. Beauty passed the ball back to Deepika in the middle of the circle, who headed the ball into the goal to double India's lead. India created several chances with their quick transition play for the rest of the quarter, the most notable of which was a two on four counter attack for India, but Beauty trapped the ball in the shooting circle and at the end of the first half the score was 2-. Remained 0.
Korea dominated the game early in the third quarter, with Kim Seona heading the ball across the goal, but Korea's final touch was missed. Korea sidestepped Indian pressure, used aerial passes and earned a penalty corner. Kim Seona's shot from the penalty corner was saved by Savita, but Lee Yuri reduced Korea's lead by scoring on the rebound in the 34th minute.
Korea continued to press for an equalizer and were awarded a penalty stroke with eight minutes left in the quarter. Korean captain Cheon Eunbi equalized by scoring from the spot. India earned several penalty corners in reply, but failed to take the lead in the third quarter.
India got the first chance to score at the start of the last quarter, but Deepika's shot went over the bar without any harm. The game saw a lot of ups and downs as both teams were desperate to score the next goal. India regained its rhythm towards the end of the quarter and earned two penalty corners, but failed to convert. With less than 3 minutes left in the game, Navneet was fouled in the circle and India were awarded a penalty stroke. Deepika showed composure, sent the goalkeeper in the wrong direction and scored the third goal for India from the spot. Korea tried their best to equalize in the final minutes, but India managed to maintain its narrow onegoal lead.
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.