In Ranchi, Jharkhand, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team lost their opening game of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 0-1 to the United States. The only goal of the game was scored by Abigail Tamer (16′).
With fast-paced, attacking hockey, both teams were up. The USA had a calm start to the game after India, encouraged by a noisy home crowd, made several early incursions into the hitting circle and controlled ball possession.
They had far better ball control and made a breakthrough early in the contest. Fortunately for India, however, USA striker Elizabeth Yaegar’s self-referral for obstruction resulted in the match umpire overturning their goal in the Olympic Qualifiers match.
Updates on the Olympic Qualifiers match between India and the U.S.
India had a few shots on goal, and the USA disallowed a goal, but the first quarter finished in a draw. But just one minute into the second quarter, the United States overcame the disappointment of a goal that was disallowed to grab a 1-0 lead and put India on the defensive.
The ball was lofted over India’s seasoned custodian, Savita, by Abigail Tamer. The India captain managed to get her pad on the ball, but it still managed to find its way between her pads and into the net.
India had a great chance to rectify the wrongs a little more than seven minutes into the second quarter when they were given the game’s first penalty.
After Deepika’s attempts found the American foot, they were given two more chances, but the USA used some excellent PC defending to clear the ball on India’s third try.
In the last minutes of the second quarter of the Olympic Qualifiers match, India upped the ante, refusing to let the pressure get to them. Despite their amazing efforts, US goalkeeper Kelsey Bing kept her team ahead with outstanding saves.
The third quarter of the Olympic Qualifiers match saw a lot of movement, including the green card acquisition of the USA’s Brooke Deberdine. India enjoyed a one-player edge, but the USA blocked their offensive line. The next few minutes saw the USA and India receive green cards, bringing the total number of players down to ten.
India had a great chance to rectify the wrongs a little more than seven minutes into the second quarter when they were given the game’s first penalty. After Deepika’s attempts found the American foot, they were given two more chances, but the USA used some excellent PC defending to clear the ball on India’s third try in the Olympic Qualifiers match.
In the last minutes of the second quarter, India upped the ante, refusing to let the pressure get to them. Despite their amazing efforts, US goalkeeper Kelsey Bing kept her team ahead with outstanding saves.
The third quarter saw a lot of movement, including the green card acquisition of the USA’s Brooke Deberdine. India enjoyed a one-player edge, but the USA blocked their offensive line.
The game was reduced to ten players per side in the minutes that followed when both India and the USA were given green cards. Although the hosts did well enough to receive two favourable reviews and win PCs, they could not convert.
India was trailing by a goal going into the last quarter, and Vaishnavi Phalke’s card didn’t help their situation. Her five-minute suspension, however, had little effect on India’s aspirations as they pursued that unattainable objective.
India earned a PC in the Olympic Qualifiers match, which was brilliantly completed by a slap-shot by Udita, but as it came off Jyoti’s foot, the goal was canceled after a referral by the USA.
In the ensuing minutes, the USA won a couple of PCs, but India’s defense stood firm and prevented them from adding to the score.
On January 14th, India will play the next Olympic qualifier match against New Zealand at 1930 hrs.
