Bhubaneswar: In a nail biting match the England team win over India women’s team in the sudden death round of the FIH Pro League here at Kalinga Stadium on Sunday. The match ended in 2-2 goals in the regulation time, again in the shootout the match drew 1-1, however England won the match with a final score of 1-2 in sudden death and gathered the crucial bonus point.
Navneet Kaur (53’) and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal (57’) scored for India while Paige Gillot (40’) and Tessa Howard (56’) found the net for England. It was an evening to remember for Rutaja as she scored on her senior international debut to draw the game for India.
The first-half saw good chances from both sides but no one could break the deadlock. England were dominant with the possession and created good chances in the shooting circle while India were forced to play on the back foot.
In the 38th minute, England won a penalty corner but Savita made yet another save to keep her side in the contest. Two minutes later, England scored the opening goal through a penalty corner as Captain Sophie Hamilton gave a powerful delivery into the middle of the circle and Paige Gillot deflected the ball into the roof of the net to take the lead.
With the final quarter underway, in the 53rd minute, India were through on goal but a stick tackle by Elizabeth Neal on Mumtaz stopped them in the tracks. India were awarded a penalty stroke which they converted courtesy of Vice Captain Navneet’s brilliant strike.
England received back-to-back penalty corners in the dying embers of the game and found the winner in the 56th minute. Hamilton delivered the ball towards the goal as the ball was deflected into the net through Tessa Howard’s hand on the stick. After a brief check, the crucial goal was given to England.
India replied seconds later with a well-deserved equaliser. Sunelita Toppo found a pass to Rutaja inside the circle as she dribbled around the defenders and scored a brilliant goal on her international debut in the 57th minute and the match came to 2-2 draw in the regulation time.
Maharashtra girl Rutaja Dadaso Pisal made her senior international debut here against England. The excited Rutaja expressed “I have been with the team for a long time, many seniors are also with me and always had the good feeling that one day the coach will pick me in the playing eleven. Yesterday night the coach informed me to play in today’s match against England”.
First edition Indian Women Hockey League champion Odisha Warriors member Rutaja said “being a forward player in my first senior match I was able to score a goal for the team. I am happy and excited with my performance” she added.
