FIH Pro League hockey: Vaishnavi shines as Indian women start with thrilling win; Harmanpreet and Co lose vs Spain | Hockey News

One Indian team scored two goals from penalty corners out of the three they earned, and another Indian team didn’t convert any of their three such chances. Before the day’s FIH Pro League action began in Bhubaneswar, one would not have quite believed that the former would be the women’s team.But that’s how it transpired as Harendra Singh’s India emerged 3-2 winners in a thriller against England, while Craig Fulton’s Olympic medalls began their campaign with a 1-3 defeat against Spain.
Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke (6th minute), who was arguably India’s best player on the pitch, and Deepika (25’) scored from India’s first two penalty corners in the first half. After England fought back to make it 2-2 with just two minutes to go through Fiona Crackles (58′), vice captain Navneet Kaur (59’) smashed in the winner in the dying moments of the match. Darcy Bourne (12’) had scored England’s first goal.
Story continues below this ad

Sunelita Toppo made a bright start to the match down the left flank and it was her drilled pass into the circle that resulted in a penalty corner. Manisha Chauhan’s drag flick was deflected to Sushila Chanu, who was alert to the advantage being played the referee and her pass found a Vaishnavi at the back post to deflect the ball in. It wasn’t a direct penalty corner goal but it was quick thinking from all three of players involved in the set-piece — drag-flicker Manisha, stopper Sushila and the injector Vaishnavi.
India, however, conceded a sloppy goal to undo the early good work, dominant as they were for the opening 10 minutes. Vaishnavi’s alertness led to the first goal but the defender lost the ball inside India’s circle. Maddie Axford pounced, and Bourne bundled the ball in after a rebound off goalkeeper Savita, who saved the first shot. But the ball looped up, hit her stick and fell kindly for the England player. It was a rare make in possession from Vaishnavi, who has otherwise shown impressive control.
Deepika, who wasn’t on the pitch for the first penalty corner, fired it in from the second one, nailing the inside-out shot past the defence. Coach Harendra Singh has vowed to make her one of the best in the world from these situations and after being the top scorer at the Asian Champions Trophy last year, she has begun the Pro League on a strong note too.
With four minutes left, Vaishnavi produced a crucial intervention. With England winning the ball high up the field and having numbers in their favour, they looked set to score, but the 21-year-old put in a late tackle to keep India’s lead. England did equalise shortly after, but Vaishnavi still had one big moment left in her. From a long corner, she started dribbling towards the circle, and played a brilliant pass to Navneet with a hint of deception. She originally shaped as if hitting a straight forehand pass but at the last moment, changed direction and found the forward, who hit a powerful shot through the goalkeeper’s legs.Story continues below this ad
“We started very well but there was a drop in intensity and England were in the driving seat, structurally they were good,” Harendra told reporters after the match. “We should have killed the match in the fourth quarter. That’s the mindset we want. I want us to get as many points at home in these Bhubaneswar matches so when we go to Europe, we know where we are. I give credit to the team that they didn’t switch off at 2-2, didn’t go defensive, they went and got the goal in the end.”
Starting trouble
For the men’s team, it wasn’t a pleasant return to international action after a lengthy break. They did start the match well against Spain, scoring a brilliant goal to take the lead. Sanjay threw an aerial from deep inside India’s half, Harmanpreet Singh – who usually initiates these attacks – was beyond the midfield on the right flank to receive with great control. His pass to Jarmanpreet Singh was inch-perfect, and the defender then cut the ball back to Sukhjeet Singh in the centre to convert with a fine reverse hit.
But Spain grew in confidence, especially in the third quarter where their pressure from the penalty corners paid off, albeit with a hint of fortune after a mrap.

“We started pretty well, we kept good pressure and we got many opportunities as well. But we won’t be too negative as it was our first match after a long time. We need to work more on our finishing part,” Harmanpreet said after the match.