Indian women lose to Kiwis

The visitors matched New Zealand in the second and third quarters but a defensive error in the final 15 minutes cost India as it conceded a penalty stroke.

The Indian women’s hockey team lost 2-1 to New Zealand in its second match of the ongoing tour here on Monday.

The Indians had earlier defeated New Zealand Development squad 4-0 in the opening match.

New Zealand started the game on an attacking note and earned a penalty corner early in the first quarter and the chance was brilliantly converted by Megan Hull in the third minute.

India drew parity when young Salima Tete converted a penalty corner in the dying minutes of the first quarter.

The visitors matched New Zealand in the second and third quarters but a defensive error in the final 15 minutes cost India as it conceded a penalty stroke, and Hull made no mistake.

India chief coach Sjoerd Marijne was disappointed with the result.

“We created enough scoring opportunities but were not productive enough. It is not about how many opportunities you create but how effective you are. New Zealand were stronger today and in the beginning we were struggling with that. But after the first quarter, we played much better.

“We created eight shots on goal and four penalty corners. We are definitely working on being more effective in the coming matches,” he added.