Hastings (New Zealand): The Indian women’s hockey team were once again drubbed by the US, losing 0-3 in the 5-8 position classification match of the Hawke’s Bay Cup here on Saturday.
The US capitalised on their opportunities to bag a second win over India in the tournament, having beaten the Asian side 4-2 earlier during the pool phase at the Hastings Sports Park.
While the US progressed to the 5-6 position match, India will have to fight it out against Japan on Sunday to try and not finish last in the 7-8 spot playoff. Japan had earlier lost their classification match 2-3 to Argentina.
The Americans stepped on the gas right from the start which helped gain the lead in the 10th minute. They earned a penalty corner which was easily converted from the stick of Kathleen Sharkey.
Not wasting much time, the US women doubled the lead four minutes later via Katie O’Donnell, who scored a smart field goal, citing a defensive lapse from the Indians.
India were forced to pick up their game which aided them in not conceding more goals till half-time.
Later, just two minutes left into the third quarter, India earned a penalty corner which they missed as the variation did not go in their favour. But on the counter-attack, and just seconds left in the session, a long pass to O’Donnell resulted in her second goal and US’ third.
Though India maintained good ball possession in the final quarter, the damage had been done and the American women easily stamped their authority to pocket a comprehensive victory.
Hosts New Zealand beat South Korea 4-0 in the semi-final and in the summit clash will take on trans-Tasman rivals Australia, who defeated China 3-2 in the other last-four clash.
While China and South Korea will play for the bronze medal, Argentina and the US will face each other in the 5-6 position play-off.
