Daijiworld Media Network - Amstelveen
Amstelveen, Aug 24: India's women's hockey team were knocked out of semi-final contention at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup after being held to a goalless draw by Australia in their crucial second-round match on Sunday. Australia advanced to the last four by virtue of having scored more goals in the tournament.
India needed a victory to qualify for the semi-finals, while a draw was enough for Australia. Both teams finished level on points and had an identical goal difference of minus two, but Australia had scored three goals compared to India's two.
The Netherlands had earlier defeated China 4-1, leaving India and Australia to battle directly for the remaining semi-final spot. India had entered the match after a 0-2 defeat to the Netherlands in their previous second-round game.
India, which had remained unbeaten in the opening stage with draws against China and England and a 6-1 win over South Africa, struggled to reproduce its earlier form. The team found it difficult to retain possession and missed several opportunities against an Australian side ranked just one place above them.
Australia made an aggressive start and appeared to score in the second minute through a close-range effort. India immediately took a referral, and the television umpire ruled the attempt dangerous, keeping the match goalless.
Australia continued to create chances, with Amy Lawton coming close in the 10th minute, but veteran goalkeeper Savita produced an excellent save.
India struggled in midfield and repeatedly lost possession. Neha was dispossessed in the 13th minute as Australia controlled much of the opening quarter.
Australia earned an early penalty corner in the second quarter, but the injection was poor. The ball nevertheless reached the net after deflecting off an Indian defender's stick, but the goal did not stand.
Grace Young later tested Bichu Devi with a reverse shot from inside the circle, but the Indian goalkeeper made a diving save.
India suffered injury setbacks during the second quarter, with Ishika forced to receive treatment in the 26th minute. Lalremsiami was also struck on the knee while challenging for the ball two minutes later, but returned to the field after treatment.
India earned a penalty corner shortly before half-time after Salima Tete stepped forward, but the opportunity was not converted. India attempted a variation through Navneet and Nikki Pradhan, but the move broke down.
The teams went into the interval locked at 0-0.
Australia created another major opportunity in the 37th minute when Stephanie Kershaw fired towards the goal after receiving a cross from the left, but the effort hit the side netting.
Australia continued to threaten and earned penalty corners, but India's defence repeatedly managed to prevent the Australians from breaking the deadlock.
India also had chances of their own. In the final minute of the third quarter, Navneet found Baljeet Kaur on the right, who crossed towards Deepika, but she was unable to control the ball.
Australia earned another penalty corner in the 46th minute after the ball struck Sushila Chanu's foot. Claire Colwill's drag-flick was blocked by the Indian defence.
Two minutes later, India came close when Salima made a strong run down the right and found Navneet, but a misunderstanding between Navneet and Lalremsiami allowed the opportunity to slip away.
Australia won another penalty corner in the 54th minute but failed to capitalise.
With time running out, India coach Sjoerd Marijne removed goalkeeper Bichu Devi in the final five minutes to add an outfield player and increase the attacking pressure.
Australia earned another penalty corner in the 59th minute, but Salima produced a crucial rushing-out effort to deny the opportunity.
India could not find the goal they needed, however, and the final hooter confirmed the 0-0 draw.
With the result, Australia joined the Netherlands in the semi-finals from Pool E, while India will now play a classification match for a place in the final standings.