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The Indian national women’s team captain Ritu Rani led from the front, scoring a brace as the Indian eves commenced their exposure tour of the Netherlands on a winning note, sneaking past Hockey Club Rotterdam 4-3 at the Rotterdam Hockey Stadium.
Earlier, India started in belligerent fashion, orchestrating attacking raids from both flanks. Poonam Rani gave the women in blue the lead in the eight minute.
Hockey Club Rotterdam’s riposte was robust, and they restored parity in the thirteenth minute, scoring a field goal. The Dutch club had an extra spring in their step after scoring the equalizer. They controlled possession for longer durations and kept India at bay.
Hockey Club Rotterdam’s dominance soon translated into a goal, as they went ahead in the 19th minute. Four minutes later, the club side rattled the Indian cage once again to leave the Indian team deeply disappointed.
Hockey Club Rotterdam led 2-1 at half-time.
Down 1-2, the Indian eves needed to pull up their socks. And they did so, combining well upfront. The Indian middle-half showed more urgency and kept creating scoring chances.
All the second half promise bore fruit, as India reduced the margin through Ritu Rani in the 51st minute.
Riding high on confidence after the margin reducer, India were soon back in the contest when Namita Toppo sounded the board in the 57th minute to bring things on an even level.
The soaring confidence of the Indian girls showed, as they held sway over their opponents in the dying moments of play.
Experienced Ritu Rani scored the match-clincher in the 62 minute, converting a penalty stroke – her second goal of the match.
India women will now play their next match against the Dutch national side in Utrecht, Netherlands.
This exposure tour of the Netherlands is part of the country’s preparations for the upcoming FIH Women Hockey World League Round 3 (semi-finals) to be played at Rotterdam, Netherlands from 13-23 June, 2013.
India would be pitted alongside Germany, New Zealand and Belgium in Pool B, while hosts Netherlands would be pitted against China, Korea,m Japan and China in Pool A.
The other FIH Women Hockey World League semifinals would be held in London, featuring hosts England, Australia, South Africa and Spain in Pool A, while Pool B will feature Argentina, China, USA and Italy.
South Africa, Belgium, India, Japan, Italy, Spain, Chile and USA are the eight teams to have made it to the HWL Round 3 by qualifying from the four Round 2 tournaments.
