Women’s hockey Test: India overcome fighting Belarus 3-1, clinch series 5-0

The Indian women’s hockey team gave a good account of itself in the fifth and final Test, overcoming a stubborn Belarus resistance with Vandana Katariya, Gurjit Kaur and Rani on target

The Indian women’s hockey team defeated a fighting Belarus side 3-1 to make a clean sweep of the five-match Test series in Bhopal on Wednesday.

India players make a clean sweep of the Test series against Belarus, winning the fifth and final match 3-1 in Bhopal on Wednesday. (PTI)

Captained by striker Rani, India were quick to get off the blocks as Vandana Katariya scored a stunning field goal in the sixth minute. In an eventful first quarter, Gurjit Kaur then converted a penalty corner in the 15th minute to make it 2-0

Both teams displayed good defensive structure in the next two quarters, with the visitors finding the breakthrough goal in the 52nd minute with Yuliya Mikheichyk converting a penalty corner.

However, the Indian defence held strong thereafter and converted a penalty corner through Rani in the 55th minute to seal the match.