Indian women's hockey team defeat Chile with 4-2 to secure berth in FIH Olympic Qualifiers

Indian women's hockey team on Saturday secured ir place in FIH Olympic Qualifiers 2019 after defeating Chile 4-2 in semi-finals of FIH Women's Series Finals at  Hiroshima Hockey Stium.

India came from a goal down to secure win as Gurjit Kaur scored a brace, while Navneet Kaur and captain Rani Rampal scored fantastic individual goals to give ir side an emphatic victory.

A well-contested match between two sides saw world number nine India start match on front foot as y me a total of six circle entries inside first 15 minutes, creating opportunities to take five shots at Chilean goal. However, world number 16 side also mand to get into Indian striking circle four times but failed to find a shot on target.

Both teams failed to open scoring in initial quarter, which was dominated by Indian team as y h better chances.

start of second quarter was t a good one for India as y conceded opening goal in 18th minute when Chile played on counter-attack. While India were trying to create an opportunity in Chilean half, ir defense cleared ball into India's half, which was n picked up by Consuelo de las Heras.

 midfielder drove into Indian striking circle and passed ball across goal, and it was Carolina Garcia who scored an easy tap-in as Indian defense failed to clear ball.

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With pressure w on higher ranked team, India finally utilised ir chance in 22nd minute when Gurjit Kaur scored from a well-struck drag-flick which beat Chilean goalkeeper on her left side. ball flew into top right corner of goal, giving India ir equalizer. two teams went into half-time break level at a goal apiece.

India resumed play in third quarter smartly as y won back possession from push-back, and it was forward Navneet Kaur who picked up ball just outside 25-yard circle, and me a darting run into striking circle, taking a shot at shot, which was deflected off a Chilean player into back of net.

goal in 31st minute gave Indian team a lift which saw m trouble world number 16 side on several occasions. It was in 37th minute that India were awarded ar penalty corner as ball hit a Chilean defender inside ir striking circle.

India's talismanic drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur stepped up yet again to put ball into top-right corner to extend India's le to 3-1. However, victory for India was t as comfortable as Chile won mselves two penalty corners towards later sts of third quarter, however, could t utilize chances.

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In 43rd minute though, a poor clearance from Indian defense saw Chile regain possession and it was Denise Krimerman who me a great run from outside 25-yard line, and played a ball across goal from near left baseline, which was deflected into back of net by Manuela Urroz to cut deficit to 3-2.

However, India rotated ball well in last quarter, t giving Chilean attack many sniffs at ir goal. world number 16 team did have a few opportunities in last quarter but could t create any clear-cut chances. India, on or hand, created some great opportunities to extend ir le with a total of seven circle entries in last 15 minutes.

With just three minutes remaining on clock, Indian team went for kill when Lilima Minz found Rani inside striking circle, and Indian captain me a great turn and hit a shot off reverse stick to beat Chilean goalkeeper and give India a well-deserved 4-2 win in semi-final.

India will next face winner of or semi-final between Russia and Japan, in final of FIH Women's Series Finals on June 23.