Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018: India hold England to a 1-1 draw

KalingaTV News Network

London (England): India warded off relentless pressure from world No. 2 England and held the hosts to a 1-1 draw in their opening game of the Women’s Hockey World Cup at London’s Lee Valley and Hockey Centre on Saturday.

England threw everything forward after Neha Goyal’s first-half goal, and it looked as though the hosts were set for a shock defeat as India survived a number of penalties.

But with seven minutes left on the clock, Lily Owsley struck low from close range after an Indian clearance was blocked to secure a vital draw.

The opening match also saw Indian midfielder Namita Toppo reach the milestone of completing 150 International Caps for the country.

The 23-year-old from Odisha made her International debut for the Senior team in the FIH Champions Challenge in Dublin in 2012 when she was just 17.

On the other hand, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team registered their second successive victory against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match Series at the Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru Campus today.