India's Women's Hockey Team Relegated to Nations Cup After Eighth Straight Loss

India's Women's Hockey Team Faces Relegation After Loss to China

India women's hockey team relegated (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)

The Indian women's hockey team has been relegated from the FIH Pro League after suffering their eighth consecutive defeat. Despite taking an early lead, India lost 2-3 to China, sealing their fate at the bottom of the league table.

With this loss, the team concludes their FIH Pro League campaign with 10 points from 16 matches, resulting in relegation to the FIH Nations Cup, the second-tier tournament.

The match saw goals from Sunelita Toppa in the 9th minute and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal in the 38th minute for India. However, China responded with two penalty corner conversions by Zhang Ying in the 19th and 39th minutes, followed by Xu Wenyu's decisive goal.

Match Highlights

The game commenced with both teams displaying initial hesitation. Chen Yang from China missed an early opportunity to score.

India quickly gained momentum, with Sunelita Toppo scoring the opening goal after receiving a pass from Neha Goyal and executing a successful reverse hit. China earned a penalty corner in the 11th minute but faced a strong Indian defensive line.

China intensified their offensive efforts, securing consecutive penalty corners in the 18th minute. India initially maintained their defensive composure.

A defensive lapse by Manisha Chauhan led to China being awarded a penalty stroke, which was later overturned to a penalty corner following a successful referral by India.

Zhang Ying capitalized on the penalty corner, leveling the score. Shortly before halftime, Ying scored again, giving China a 2-1 advantage.

In the 37th minute, India earned consecutive penalty corners after Neha's attempt was saved. Rutuja scored from a clever play assisted by Navneet Kaur, bringing the score to 2-2.

India sustained their attacking pressure and gained another penalty corner in the 40th minute, but China's defense remained resolute.

China dominated the latter part of the match, earning multiple penalty corners in the 48th and 50th minutes, although they were unable to convert them into goals.

The decisive moment occurred in the 53rd minute when China was awarded another penalty corner. Zhang's flick was deflected by Xu, securing the victory for China.

This result marks the end of India's campaign in the FIH Pro League, with the team now preparing for the Nations Cup in the upcoming season.