Women's hockey WC: India face US in crunch clash

New Delhi: India will need at least a draw against USA in Sunday’s pool B match to keep their hopes of reaching the women’s hockey World Cup’s knockout stages alive.

After drawing against world No. 2 England in their opening match, India suffered a 0-1 loss to Ireland in their second round robin match to squander the chance of making a direct entry to the quarterfinals.

Only the top teams from the four pools directly qualify for the quarterfinals, while the remaining four slots would be filled from the cross-over stage.

The sides finishing second and third in their respective pools would clash with each other in the cross-over stage with the four group toppers making it to the quarterfinals.

With one draw (1-1 against England), one loss (0-1) against Ireland, India are placed third in the Pool B points table.

USA too have drawn once against England and lost 1-3 to Ireland. Though both the teams have one point each, India are ahead on goal difference.

To remain in contention for the quarters, India need either a win or a draw from Sunday’s game.

“It is a must-win match for us on Sunday and there is no doubt that,” chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said.

India didn’t get any penalty corners against England but seven opportunities came their way against Ireland but they could not convert them and they cannot repeat the same mistake in the high-stake game on Sunday.

“The team’s structure and planning is good which enabled us to create chances in the striking circle but not being able to convert these chances into goals cost us the match,” Marijne said.

“We made 27 circle entries against Ireland while it was only 10 against England. Though playing against these two teams is very different from each other, it is frustrating that we could not convert a single goal from these chances (15 shots on goal) against Ireland.”