Indian women’s hockey team loses 1-3 to Great Britain

Indian women's hockey team suffered its first defeat of the Great Britain tour on Wednesday after losing 1-3 at Marlow, England.

The Indian women's hockey team gather around for a team huddle ahead of the fourth Test match against Great Britain.

The Indian women’s hockey team tasted its first defeat on England tour when it went down 1-3 against Great Britain in the fourth match in Marlow, England on Wednesday.

Great Britain took an early lead through Hannah Martin (5th minute) but India’s Neha Goyal (18th) scored the equaliser.

However, a goal before half-time from Charlotte Watson (29th), and one in the last quarter through Giselle Ansley (50th) meant that Great Britain secured its first win of the tour, snapping India’s unbeaten run.

World No 9 India had notched up a 2-1 win in the first match, before drawing the next two games 1-1 and 0-0 respectively.

The host dominated possession in the early stages and won its first penalty corner in just the 3rd minute, but India’s goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu produced a fine save to deny the host early on. However, the visitor could not deny Britain on the second occasion as it took the lead through a field goal by Hannah in the 5th minute.

India gradually came into the game, and had a few chances of its own in the latter stages of the first quarter, but were denied by Maddie Hinch during back-to-back penalty corners. With the momentum on its side, the Indian team combined well at the start of the second quarter, and pressed for the equaliser, which eventually came in the 18th minute as Neha produced a slick finish to make it 1-1.

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Four minutes later, Great Britain had another penalty corner, but was denied by the first rusher, while India also won back-to-back PCs in the 24th minute, but could not get past keeper Maddie Hinch. It was in the 29th minute, Charlotte Watson gave Britain a 2-1 lead after some good combination play by its forwardline.In the third quarter, Great Britain was denied a third goal when Indian keeper Savita saved a penalty corner.

The Indians poured forward in the final quarter which left the defence open as Britian took advantage by winning a penalty stroke in the 50th minute. Giselle Ansley stepped up and converted from spot to make it 3-1 for the host. India had a few chances in the last 10 minutes to make a comeback, but lacked the killer pass to stage a fightback.

India will play the fifth and final Test of the tour against Great Britain on Friday.