India beat Canada to earn their first win at Hawke’s Bay Cup

INDIA CAME OUT WINNERS with a 1-0 margin in the close classification game against Canada today.

India had come into the match searching for their first victory against the Canadian team and the first half was played out evenly between both teams. Both teams had PCs but failed to convert any to break the deadlock. Rani came closest, when she was unmarked in the circle with only the keeper to beat but failed to hit the target.

The second half saw more of the same, as the teams created several opportunities without finding the back of the net. In the 43rd minute, Lilima Minz finally broke the deadlock with a brilliant bit of individual play, as she dribbled into the circle and beat the keeper with a sharp shot to give India the lead.

Both teams squandered opportunities in the fourth quarter, with the game edging to a close, as India eked out a vital win. The victory meant they next play for the 5-6 place, an improvement on their last showing at the tournament.

Speaking after the match India’s Chief Coach Neil Hawgood said,

“Today’s game was vital for us, another loss would’ve left us competing for the wooden spoon, so I am glad we got the victory.” “We controlled the ball well and held possession in key areas at key moments, a factor that helped decide the outcome of the game.”

India next play Ireland in the 5-6 place classification game on Sunday, 10th April.

The 2016 Hawke's Bay Cup is an invitational 8 nation women tournament, held between April 2-10 as part of the festival of hockey in New Zealand. The venue for the three-year-old event, is the stunning Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings. For the 2016 tournament, the eight participating nations are Australia, Canada, China, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. Today’s matches saw India beat Canada and Ireland beat Korea. Later, Japan take on China and New Zealand take on Australia in the semifinals.