Coach Harendra Singh - Reliving the 5 most memorable matches

Harendra Singh
Harendra Singh

#5 India vs England (CWG Women - Pool Match)

The Indians girls make history against the Olympic champions
The Indians girls make history against the Olympic champions

Rani Rampal and co. began the tournament in appalling fashion by losing to a lower-ranked Welsh side in their opener, before steadying the ship to conquer the Malaysians in their second encounter.

The 4-1 drubbing of Malaysia may well have instilled confidence in the ranks, but the Golden Girls were up against Olympic champions England in their third match, and not even the most die-hard of Indian fans would have given their side much of a chance.

Even before Harendra's chargers had settled in, Alex Danson scored with the clock showing 35 seconds and an English goal fest looked to be on the cards.

The English girls were kept at bay by Savita Punia - and by occasional counter-attacks which eventually resulted in a shot that beat Maddy Hinch in the eighth minute.

Indian celebrations were short-lived as the strike was taken from outside the D and the English were back in the Indian half in a jiffy.

Half-time ended with the English girls ahead, and a great goalline save by Sunita Lakra prevented the Rio gold-medalists from doubling the lead early in the third quarter.

Navneet Kaur got India the equalizer after some great work by Vandana, and it was even-stevens with fifteen minutes left to play. A period of intense pressure led to a penalty stroke in the 48th minute and Gurjit Kaur's shot sparked celebrations from the Indian fans in Gold Coast and elsewhere.

The English threw all they had at the Indian eves in the last ten minutes but were unable to get one past Savita.

History was made at Gold Coast as the Indians girls achieved what was hitherto deemed impossible - Harendra was right on track.

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