India vs New Zealand Highlights, Women's Hockey World Cup 2022: Spirited India go down fighting, NZ win 4-3

It came down to the last minute, in fact, the very last second, in which India were awarded a PC, but there wouldn't be any luck this time. India took a referral but to no avail… which means that New Zealand have emerged victorious and will head to play the quarterfinal. As for India women, well… they have lost this game but anyone who has followed this match entirely would know that the scoreline doesn't do justie to their effort. Clearly, India's best performance of the tournament so far.

A PC and India finally make it count. Gurjit Kaur scores his first of the match and the tournament. But will it be enough. The final minute remains.

The first attack from New Zealand in this quarter and it results in a goal. Olivia Merry with her second. A thunderous shot into the goal and India's shoulder have dropped. A referral has been taken by India but we don't feel it's going to help them in any way.

Honestly, don't remember the last time New Zealand forged an attack. It has been all India so far in the final 15 minutes. They really want to level this one, let alone get a win. Impressive barrage of attack on New Zealand. They've looked a different unit altogether since that goal from Lalremsiami. Alright then, 8 minutes left. What have we got here. 

New Zealand were a player down and India make the most of it. A brilliant pass and an equally flourishing finish from Lalremsiami brings the goal difference down. New Zealand 2-1 India. A fantastic way to end the quarter for India. That sure would give them confidence.

India have managed to put New Zealand under attack but the opposition has managed to keep them at bay. Two consecutive PCs for India but neither was converted. Excellent save for the NZ goalkeeper. This is what we were talking about earlier. Need to make these count. So many PCs and but the finishing has been far from ideal.

A referral going India's way. There was a use of the foot - shin guard to be more precise and India have spotted it well. PC for India… and they miss collecting the flick. It's just not happening for the Indian eves at the moment. These little errors could prove really prove costly.

It's Frances Davies who gives New Zealand a two-goal cushion. Two minutes into the second half and we have a fourth goal of the match with New Zealand taking a 3-1 lead. This would hurt India, especially after having taken a 1-0 lead early. In the last 10 odd mins, India have appeared jaded. Too many errors, green cards. And New Zealand have made it count.

Oh dear! Just when we thought the half will end with the scores levelled, Tessa Jopp has put her team ahead. As the Indian defenders switched off momentarily, Jopp popped one into the goal for her team to take a 2-1 lead. 

It has been a relatively quieter second quarter so far. Barring a couple of close chances, most of the action has taken place in the centre of the pitch with players from both teams giving away possession. Three minutes to half-time. Can one team nose ahead?

Another penalty corner for India which they fail to convert, and since they took a little too much time to execute that PC, they'll briefly have to play with 10 players. That's like shooting yourself in the foot. New Zealand treaten India's goal with Merry once again creating a chance but the Indian defence does well there.

A fine run by India but credit to NZ's defence who broke down the attack and halted the India eve's momentum. India have set off in this cat and mouse phase of the game. Once again, action shifts to the centre of the pitch. Another attack, another piece of solid defence. Phew! Nervy moments if you're a NZ fan.

What an electric first 15 minutes we have witnessed. No shortage of breathtaking advantage. Both India and New Zealand had their moments in the first quarter and now we move into the second, expecting nothing less than another action packed period of next 15 minutes.

New Zealand convert their first PC of the match. Merry with a ruthless dragflick and Savita has no answer to it. Just the slightest of space between the goalkeeper's legs but Merry manages to pounce on the opportunity and smashes it into the goal. NZ even things up at 1-1. 

And excellent flick by Gurjit Kaur, almost putting all her strength into it. And it almost got her the perfect reward before the NZ goalie pulled off a fabulous save. None the less, it has been a bright star from the India women. They lead 1-0.

It's been a very assured start by India. They are so contrasting to New Zealand's style of play and yet they are the team that is ahead. Green card to New Zealand and they are a woman down. And as we mention it, it's a penalty corner for India, their first of the match.

What a start. India are ahead in just the third minute as Vandana Katariya gives her team an early advantage. That's her third goal of the tournament. She simply took off and completed a fine run to hammer the ball into the nets. New Zealand did not expect that. Katariya almost took a tumble out of joy.  

There is no shortage of support in the crowd. India women have that covered. The whistle has blown and we are underway. India in Orange and White while New Zealand are in their traditional back outfit. India on the charge early on. That's refreshing to see. Indians trying and working a way to force the ball out of defence. 

Out come the two teams. The New Zealand girls with their black sticks, accompanied by the Indian eves. The National Anthems taking place as you read this. These are extremely chilly conditions in Amstelveen.

We are getting close to live action. The teams are warming up and things will get underway at 11PM sharp. Tonight's India game is a late start as compared to the 8PM starts in the first 2 matches.

India are without their talismanic Rami Rampal at the World Cup. The reason she is not featuring is due to an injury that has sidelined her since the Tokyo Olympics. She did make her return in the Pro League, albeit briefly, but has kept out of action since. Rani's absence is being felt, as she has been the one that has in the past held this team together.

This is India women's 8th Hockey World Cup. Their best performance came way back in 1974, when they finished 4th. In the previous edition in 2018, the team cut a sorry figure and finished eighth. 

For this Indian team, scoring and creating chances haven't been an issue. The problem lies in defence. They conceded 15 goals in the six Pro League matches. Had it not been for Savita's brilliance in front of the nets, the number could have been higher.

After India's missed penalty corners, head coach Janekke Schopman acknowledged the same. Credit to China, who were equally brave in front of the goal, but for a team that achieved a historic 4th place at last year's Olympics, you would expect better conversions. Neither Gurjit Kaur nor Deep Grace Ekka could beat China's defence with their dragflicks.

Both of India's goals in the first two matches have been scored by Vandana Katariya, and barring her, unfortunately, no other striker has looked threatening. Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi and Navneet Kaur as forwards have struggled, and although India had their chances, not capitalising enough on them is something the the team would want to improve at.