Tokyo, Aug 20 (UNI) Indian Women’s Hockey team on Tuesday put in a tough shift to secure their place in the Final of the Olympic Test Event as they played out a 0-0 draw against World No 11 China here at the Oi Hockey Stadium.
India's Penalty Corner expert, Gurjit Kaur, stepped up to take the set-piece, but could not find the back of the net as the Chinese Goalkeeper Dongxiao Li deflected the ball away from danger. China looked to attack the Indians on the counter, but could not find an opening in the first quarter as the scores remained 0-0.
India started the second quarter also with great attacking flair, and won themselves their second Penalty Corner in the 17th minute. Gurjit Kaur tried to aim for the other side this time, but her try was again denied by Li.
The third quarter saw China coming close to taking the lead in the 41st minute through their first Penalty Corner, but Indian Goalkeeper Savita made a great save to deny her opponents, and the defense cleared the ball. It was a moment which could have turned the match around, but the 29-year-old Indian made sure that China could not take an important lead.
The situation became quite tense for both the teams in the last few minutes of the match, but it was China who won themselves back-to-back Penalty Corners with just two minutes remaining on the clock.
However, the Indian defense stood up to the task and managed to block the first attempt, and then Savita saved the second PC to earn her team a much deserved draw, and with it, a place in the Final.
With a tally of five points from their three matches, India is at top of the points table, and will now face hosts and World No 14 Japan in the Final of the Olympic Test Event on Wednesday.
UNI XC NC1839