Hastings (New Zealand), April 12 (IANS) The Indian women’s hockey team suffered its second consecutive loss, going down 2-4 against the US in the eight-nation Hawke’s Bay Cup at the Hastings Sports Park here on Sunday.
Anuradha Thokchom’s brace (sixth, 44th minutes) failed to lift the Indian team as the US responded with goals from Jill Witmer (19th minute), Kathleen Sharkey (42nd, 43rd) and Julia Reinprecht (47th).
From the very first minute, both the teams played a calculated game throughout the match and battled hard to keep the ball possession.
The first quarter started with intense tussle between the teams and it was India who took the lead and opened thir account through Anuradha in the sixth minute.
After conceding the goal, the US controlled the play but the Indian defence stood tall till the 19th minute that saw Jill equalised for the US with a field goal.
Both the teams were persistent on putting pressure on each other and displayed a good set of stickwork.
With the either teams unable to add any further goals to their account in the second quarter, the score card remained unchanged by 1-1.
In the third quarter, the game entered a hard-fought phase, especially in the dying minutes.
Kathleen finally broke into the Indian D twice and scored two back-to-back goals in the 42nd and 43rd minute that helped the US to jump to a 3-1 lead.
India pulled one back through Anuradha, who successfully converted a penalty corner.
In the last quarter of the game, both India and the US were seen attacking the flanks more frequently. But it was US who got another success in the 47th minute from the stick of Julia and gave another jolt to India.
Indian eves failed to add any more goals to their tally and the US won the match 4-2.
After a day of rest, India will play their next match against Australia on Tuesday.