The Indian women’s hockey team ended the home leg of the FIH Pro League 2023-24 on a positive note, as they beat the USA 2-1 in a shootout, after playing out a 1-1 draw in the regulation time, on Sunday.
Hosts India opened the scoring first with Deepika getting the first goal of the match in the 19th minute. USA later equalised in the 45th minute, when Ashley Sessa found the back of the net. Overall, Team India maintained a better possession throughout the match, and created some decent chances, but couldn’t convert.
India keeper Savita Punia was again great at the goalpost, as she denied Madeleine Zimmer a goal in the 23rd minute, when an attempt was made from a close range. Meanwhile, in 24th minute, USA keeper Kelsey Bing saved a penalty corner by Navneet. Eventually, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
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Now, with the home leg over, the Indian team will now fly to Belgium in May, where they will be up against the hosts and Argentina twice. As far as the FIH Pro League 2023-24 points table is concerned, India is on the fifth spot currently, in as many matches.