In-form Indian women hockey team beats Canada 3-1

Manheim, USA: The Indian women's hockey team beat Canada 3-1 in their second consecutive encounter on the USA tour here on Saturday.

Poonam Rani scored India's opener in the 19th minute, Renuka Yadav (32) scored the second and Anuradha Thokchom (58) added another to the tally.

India started off on the offensive and had a shot on target within the first few minutes, one that was saved by Rowan Harris in Canada's goal. A penalty corner was also squandered away, before the game settled into a midfield battle, as the teams played out a stalemate heading into the first break.

Despite Canada's fresh start in the first quarter, India were the ones who broke the deadlock via Rani. Canada equalised shortly after via Natalie Sourisseau.

India went under sustained pressure after the equaliser as a green card for Deep Grace Ekka left them a player short. Canada won a flurry of PCs but failed to convert any with the Indian eves determined and putting bodies behind the ball. The defensive work paid off as they went into half time with the scores level at 1 goal apiece.

India hit back immediately after the restart, Renuka scoring from a direct shot off a penalty corner in the 32nd minute. Soon enough India were the ones creating all the chances and pressuring Canada into mistakes off the ball. A second penalty corner in the quarter saw a goal disallowed after a direct shot went into the net. Deep Grace had a chance later on, but went narrowly wide as India went into the break leading 2-1.

It was all one way again in the final quarter, as India played the game out in the midfield, denying Canada the ball and a chance to equalise. Anuradha scored another with two minutes to the hooter, a shine on their performance as they won their third consecutive game of the tour.