India eves beat Uruguay in HWL Round 2 opener

India registered a sensational 4-2 win in the shootout against Uruguay in their opening match of the women's Hockey World League (HWL) Round 2 here.

Skipper Rani, Monika, Deepika Thakur and Navjot Kaur held their nerve to convert goals in the tense penalty shootout that saw them through after the two sides scored two goals apiece in regulation time on Saturday.

After getting off to a good start with skipper Rani scoring as early as in the sixth minute to take a 1-0 lead, it was a 2-2 draw at the end of fourth quarter that led to the shootout.

Though India held on to the lead with strong defence right till the third quarter, Uruguay struck their first goal in the 45th minute to equalise through Maria Teresa Viana Ache.

After a quick two-minute break before the final quarter began, a few key variations brought in by Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne saw Vandana Katariya convert a fine field goal in the 49th minute to take 2-1 lead.

But a defensive error in the striking circle in the 54th minute saw the team concede a penalty stroke which was successfully converted by Manuela Vilar.

In the last six minutes, the Indian forwards made brave forays into their striking circle but could not fetch a goal eventually leading the match to a penalty shootout.

With the experienced goalkeeper Savita who was inch-perfect, India held their nerves to win 4-2 in the exciting shootout.

--IANS

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