Hockey World League opener: Indian eves suffer 0-7 drubbing against New Zealand

It was always going to be a mountain to climb for the young Indian hockey eves as they took on the might of New Zealand in their opening match of the first women’s Hockey World League semifinal in Rotterdam on Thursday.

The Black Sticks women are a much fitter side than the Indian eves, and if the recent performance of the world number three side is anything to go by, they clearly enjoy superiority over their opponents. Only last December, New Zealand hammered India 5-0 in a six-match Test series in their own backyard, including a 7-2 walloping in the first game.

Indian eves had little to cheer on that tour save for the sixth and final Test where they lost 5-6 in a tight contest after leading 3-2 at half-time. Given this scenario, the 12th ranked Indian team wasn’t really expected to upset the Black Sticks’ applecart.

And they did not really surprise us coming up with a spineless display and were handed a morale-crushing 0-7 defeat.

India missed the injury-induced absence of talented striker Rani Rampal, and overall cut a sorry figure.

Indian began proceedings with captain Ritu Rani and Vandana Katariya combining well for a nice move in the 2nd minute, but the New Zealand defence foiled that raid.

The black brigade looked good to score in the 6th minute when they intercepted a backpass from Indian vice-captain Chanchan Devi, but the backline did well to nullify a potential goal-scoring opportunity.

New Zealand did not have to wait for long for their opening goal, as they went ahead two minutes later when India let in an own goal.

India’s 17-year-old Manjit Kaur made her international debut, but she was constantly under pressure along with the other fullbacks.

At times, the Indian defence showed a lot of resolve to keep their opponents at bay, but all that did not last long as New Zealand doubled the advantage in the 16th minute through another own goal.

New Zealand made it 3-0 after a cross from one of their players touched the foot of the onrushing goalkeeper before rolling it.

Krystal Forgesson, with 177 internationals under her belt, made it 4-0 in the 31st minute as the Indian defence were left scurrying for cover.

Charlotte Harrison – another experienced campaigner – slammed home from their first penalty corner at the stroke of half-time but the Indians got it disallowed through the video referral route as New Zealand led 4-0 at the break.

India needed to summon desperate measures to stay in the contest in the second half. They forced their first short corner in the 37th minute, but Anupa Barla messed it up with a feeble push.

The women in blue seemed to have reduced the deficit in the 48th minute, but the goal was disallowed following a video referral.

The Indian goalkeeper made several valiant saves, but New Zealand were in no mood to relent.

Charlotte Harrison deflected a rising ball to make it 5-0 in the 52nd minute.

Two minutes later, the Black Sticks made it 6-0 when one of their forwards tapped home from close range.

India ran out of ideas not just in defence, but also upfront, and seemed resigned to their fate.

New Zealand scored the seventh goal in the 69th minute and ran away impressive winners.