Thanks to two more goals from Katie Bam – who had a hat trick in Wednesday’s win over Japan – and a full-team effort on defense, the US willed its way to a 3-0 win over India at the Olympic Hockey Centre in Rio in what’s fast becoming a historic 2016 Olympics for a USA seeking its first medal in 32 years.
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Team captain Scott Tupper of Vancouver scored twice for Canada, while Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh had goals for India.
Going by form and world rankings, India were the overwhelming favourites against and as expected they started on a bright note. Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was also at his best as he foiled number of attacks from Netherlands.
Canada, on the other hand, played deep on their own half and depended mainly on counter attacks. “The moment when it counted we were unbelievably lucky”.
Five minutes later, Carter once again came to his side’s rescue by coming off the line to deny Nikkin. The timer ticked out, but illegal block after illegal block, would mean India would win six consecutive penalty corners. They soon had their second goal, a solo effort, effectively a counter attack after the ball turned over at the edge of the USA circle.
To add insult to injury, India lost forward SV Sunil also in the second quarter after he crashed into the advertisement barrier. Nikkin Thimmaiah was particularly wasteful, as he flashed a gilt-edged chance wide, just short of the halfway mark.
Netherlands scored both their goals from penalty corners through Rogier Hoffman (32nd minute) and Mink van der Weerden (54th), while India’s lone goal came from the stick of VR Raghunath (38th).
Canada equalised within seconds of India’s goal as Tupper’s flick went through the legs of Indian goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh.
But India’s joy was shotlived as seconds later Tupper equalised for Canada, converting their first penalty corner.
India managed to tack the lead back in the closing minutes of third quarter with a goal from Ramandeep Singh.
Both Sharkey and Kolojejchick stayed heavily involved down the stretch with Sharkey drawing a penalty corner thanks to a well placed reverse stick shot and Kolojejchick showing off her handle by helping to dribble out the majority of the final 1:30.
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The Men in Blue, thus, suffered another heart-breaking defeat after the late loss to reigning Olympic champions Germany in their second Pool B game.A draw against Netherlands today would have sealed India’s place in the quarterfinals. Canada are at the bottom with no point.Top four finishers from Pool A and Pool B qualify for the quarterfinals.
