The Indian women’s hockey team lost 0-2 to the world’s strongest, current world and Olympic champions, the Netherlands at their home ground yesterday. As a result, the next match against Australia has become a ‘do or die’ battle for the Indian team.
India conceded a goal from a penalty corner early in the match. The second goal also came from a penalty corner. India tried to come back into the fight, but could not break the strong defense of the Netherlands. Although India’s defense and goalkeeping performed well at several crucial moments, there was a lack of ball possession, circle entry and continuity of attack.
However, this loss did not stop India’s path to the semi-finals. In the pool of four teams in the second round, China now has 2 points, India and Australia have 1 point each, and the Netherlands have confirmed their semi-finals with 6 points. The top two teams will go directly to the semi-finals.
India’s equation is therefore clear – Australia must be defeated and the Netherlands cannot be allowed to lose to China. If India wins, it will reach 4 points. If the Netherlands defeats China, China will remain at 2 points, and if the match is drawn, China will have 3 points. In both cases, India will enter the semi-finals as second with 4 points. But if China defeats the Netherlands, they will reach 5 points and then the door to India’s semi-finals will be closed.
That is, not one, but two results are very important for India: defeat Australia, and trust the Dutch – only then the door to the semi-finals can open.
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