Indian women’s hockey team loses the semi-finals to Australia in a climactic shoot-out, standard of umpiring and clock/timer not working during penalties becomes a huge embarrassment for the organizers and FIH


Indian women’s hockey team loses the semi-finals to Australia in a climactic shoot-out, standard of umpiring and clock/timer not working during penalties becomes a huge embarrassment for the organizers and FIH

Indian women's hockey team

It is not for nothing the Indian women’s hockey team members are referred to as Bharat Kee Sherneyaan. Late on Friday evening in Birmingham, the Indian team was defeated but not disgraced by Australia in the penalty shoot-out (0-3) after being tied 1-1 at the end of regulation period in the semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games.

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In what turned out to be a high-voltage match equally high on emotions and drama,  the way things panned out in the shout-out was a pathetic reflection of how poorly the organizers and the international hockey federation (FIH) are conducting the event.

There appeared to be a clean save from goalkeeper Savita Punia off an early effort in the “strokes.” However, as the timer/clock had not started ticking, the clean save was not taken into account. Instead, there was a re-take, much to the chagrin of all Indian hockey supporters, seated inside the arena and those watching the match past midnight in India and Asia.

In terms of quality and form, Australia were definitely the favorite side, on paper. Yet, for the Indian team to hold onto them like well-trained watchdogs made for great viewing.

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After the match, when goalie Savita and coach Janneke Schopman spoke, there was hurt and agony in their hearts. “Australia weren’t complaining” (about Malone’s missed first penalty). And that’s why it hurts, and that’s why it’s grating — when officialdom hinders sport and the professionals who play it,” said the coach. That statement from coach Schopman was sweeping. It is well known, that the European umpires have an anti-India bias.  

Savita, a veteran of many battles in her career and still one of best India’s best goalkeepers at 32 was mature in her comments. “That was so hard to watch. We must move on,” said Savita on television.

This is not the first time the women from India are playing with passion and josh. After the highs of the Tokyo Olympics, where they lost to England in the bronze medal play-off, tears flowed down the cheeks of all the girls for many days.

It has not been easy in the process of rebuilding. Sitting in armchairs and becoming an expert to say “take defeat in stride” is easy. There were changes made in the team after that, even though the core remains the same. With coach Sjoerd Marijne eased out and Janneke Schopman drafted in, there had to be changed in the training methods. Schopman is a seasoned pro who has played at the highest level and won an Olympic medal. She deals with players with a great degree of professionalism.

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For all the athleticism, speed, and reputation, the Aussie girls were back-pedaling in patches as the Indians showed intent and purpose. There were blemishes, so say,  and one can only learn from it. To miss three penalty corners was crazy. Worse, in the penalty shootout, the Indians missed three strokes.

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Indian women's hockey team
Indian women’s hockey team

Call it blasphemy or call it a disaster, this was one defeat that cannot be brooded over for long. The girls get a day off on Saturday and will play the bronze medal play-off match on Sunday. This will be the biggest match of this tournament for them.

For the record, Ambrosia Malone, Amy Lawton and Kaitlin Nobbs scored goals for Australia in the shootout. Rebecca Greiner (10th minute) scored the solitary goal for Australia while Vandana Katariya (49th minute) was the lone scorer from the Indian side.

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Australia played with aggro and pace and looked for scoring opportunities. The Indians were up to the task. Where India failed, in the ultimate analysis, was they did not convert the chances which came their way. To be playing in a match of such high intensity, what was required was a cool mind. Matches like these test the nerves of players.

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You can pardon missed chances but when you bungle with efforts in penalty corners, it is not acceptable. The stakes are high for Indian hockey. The team did not do as well as expected in the FIH World Cup last month in Spain and Holland and finished ninth.

One cannot complain about the taxing schedules, as these are the rigours and demands of modern day sport. It was well-known, the calendar in 2022 would be packed. At one point of time, there may have even been an attempt to send a Team B to compete in the Commonwealth Games.

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That was ruled out once the Asian Games in Hangzhou got postponed to 2023 due to the prevailing Covid 19 situation in China. The big challenge is how the girls prepare themselves mentally for the fight against the Black Caps (New Zealand) on Sunday. A billion Indians will be praying for these girls. That, alone, will not suffice. Late on Saturday night, the Indian men’s team will play South Africa in the semi-finals.

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