On Monday in Kakamighara, India’s women’s hockey team resumed its winning streak with a 2-1 comeback victory over Malaysia in the women’s Junior Asia Cup.
On Monday in Kakamighara, India’s Junior Asia Cup hockey team resumed its winning streak with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Malaysia. After Malaysia took an early lead through Dian Nazeri in the sixth minute, it was Mumtaz Khan (10 minutes in) and Deepika (26 minutes in) who came through for India. India remained undefeated in Pool A after their 22-0 rout of Uzbekistan in the opening round. India took the initiative early on and earned a few penalty corners, but they were unable to convert.
While Malaysia’s original goal was to maintain a higher percentage of possession, the team quickly shifted into a counterattacking formation, which paid off when an unmarked Nazeri scored a field goal to give her team the lead.
However, India responded only four minutes later when Mumtaz scored an equalize off a penalty corner, dampening the mood in Malaysia.
India’s offensive style of hockey paid off in the second quarter as they were awarded a penalty stroke with four minutes remaining before halftime, which Deepika converted.
Even at the start of the third quarter, India’s dominance and the offensive threat posed a problem for Malaysia’s defense.
Unlike the previous three quarters, India opened the final period on defense and focused on maintaining possession as Malaysia stepped up its game in pursuit of an equalizer.
The Indians quickly discovered that their strategy wasn’t working and switched to focusing their play in and around Malaysia’s half of the pitch.
India’s third pool match is Tuesday against Korea.
