New Delhi: Indian eves registered their fourth straight wins to clinch the Four-Test Match Hockey Series (4-0) against Azerbaijan, as the hosts defeated the visitors 2-0 in the match played at Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium here on Thursday.
India took on to the field with an aim to win the fourth and the final game comprehensively, but were denied the chances to score until the 44th minute when Jaspreet Kaur gave India the lead by converting he penalty stroke awarded to the hosts. Rani made it 2-0 when she founded the plank in the 68th minute of the game.
India looked on a mission from the very first minute as they tested the visitor’s defense straight after the referee blew her whistle. Azerbaijan got the first penalty corner of the match in the 9th minute but failed to score the goal. They attacked again and in the 16th minute but a diving Savita stopped them in scoring the goal. India fought back quickly with a pass from Rani which missed Anuradha Devi just by a whisker. Both the teams came close to scoring the opening goal but missed the opportunities they created.
First half ended with no goal as Azerbaijan showed that losing the series did not affect them as they controlled the Indian strikers and created the chances of their own.
Second half started in the similar fashion as both the teams created opportunities in the opening team. Indian team held their nerves better and earned a penalty stroke in the 44th minute. Jaspreet Kaur took the shot and did not disappoint as she found the top right corner of the net beating the diving Azerbaijan goalkeeper. After the goal Indian team looked a different side all together and attacked with as much as six players in the opponent’s corner.
Soon India won their first penalty corner in the 52nd minute but their vows continued with converting the penalty corners as they failed yet again. Azerbaijan came hard after conceding the lead and earned their second penalty corner in the 60th minute. Indian goalkeeper Savita did brilliantly to stop the goal.
In the 68th minute Indian captain Asunta Lakra showed why she is highly rated as she tore through the opponent’s defense and gave a perfect pass to Rani who with a relatively easy shot doubled India’s lead.
In the post match press conference C.R. Kumar, Indian coach said, “When we started the series we wanted to win all the matches and at the end of the series I can say that we have achieved our target. We played some good hockey and that reflected in the result.”
“Still there are some grey areas in our game. Even in today’s match we missed to convert the penalty corners and this is one area where we have to work really hard,” he added.
Asunta Lakra said “Our team is playing well and we will look to carry this form to the all important Olympic qualifiers.”
By Gaurav Jha
