The Paris 2024 dream is alive. A resounding 5-1 win for the Indian women and the campaign, which appeared to be in danger of derailing after a surprise loss in the first game, is back on track. While India will have to face Germany, title favourites, in the semi-final, they will now get two chances to make it to the Olympics, with the third-placed team also making it to Paris. But all that’s for later. Tuesday night was all about determination and aggression.
In the very first minute of the game, India were on the attack. A fantastic through ball intercepted at the top of the striking circle, and it was a lovely reverse-flick which was stopped by the Italian goalkeeper. All this in the first 20 seconds of the game. The clearance wasn’t proper and as the clock showed just 40 seconds had elapsed, India had their first penalty corner. Udita Duhan was on target, and leapt at least a few feet up in joy. The significance of the strike was not lost on anyone.
Thereafter, the game did not rise to any great heights with both sides slightly scrappy with their passing and trapping. India did get a few chances before half time but failed to find the target. And as we know, a 1-0 lead in hockey isn’t ever enough.
In the second half, India came charging out. An interception at the top of the circle and all of a sudden, the Italian defence was all open. The only option was to stop the Indians forcibly and that’s what the goalkeeper and the defender did, leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty stroke. Deepika Thakur converted it easily and India had the insurance goal.
Even before the Indian fans had stopped celebrating, Salima Tete burst into the circle and from an acute angle struck a vicious drive that had one destination written on it – the top corner of the Italian net. At 3-0, it was all done and dusted. Navneet Kaur added a nonchalant fourth goal in the final quarter, while Udita converted another penalty corner to make it 5-0. By then, it was all a formality. Italy did manage a few penalty corners, but the trapping was poor until Camila Machin’s penalty-corner hit in the final seconds finally found a way past Savita Punia in India’s goal.
In all, it was yet another perfect night for India.
While we celebrate two strong games, India know that a semi-final against Germany awaits. And the Germans are clearly the best team in the competition. If India are to beat them, they will need to go a few notches better. But as Janneke Schopman, the coach, had said a few days ago, “We have played the Germans, and we know we can beat them.” It is this self-belief that will be tested, and even if India comes out second-best, they will have one final chance in the game to decide third place. On the basis of what we saw tonight, they look set fair for Paris.
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