Indian women’s hockey team beat Ireland 2-1 in U21 4-nation tourney

Team Udayavani, Jun 2, 2019, 11:39 AM IST

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Dublin: The Indian women’s hockey team came from a goal down to beat Ireland 2-1 and register its second win at the Cantor Fitzgerald U-21 International four-nation tournament here.

Laura Foley gave Ireland the lead the 10th minute on Saturday before India scored in the third and fourth quarters through Reet (35th) and Sharmila Devi (53rd).

After failing to find the net in the opening two quarters, India made a strong start after the change of ends and managed to draw level in the 35th minute when Reet scored from a penalty corner.

Locked at 1-1, both India and Ireland dished out fast-paced attacking hockey in the final quarter in search of the winner.

Seven minutes into the fourth quarter, Ireland won a penalty corner but Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi made a brilliant save to keep her side in the hunt.

India then launched an attack on the break and tasted success when Sharmila Devi slotted home to hand her side the lead in the 53rd minute.

Trailing, the hosts pressed hard for an equaliser and earned a couple of penalty corners in the process but the Bichu Devi-led Indian defence stood firm to deny Ireland the equaliser.

India will play Scotland in their next match on Monday.