After trailing 1-3 in the 18th minute, India unleashed incredible firepower to defeat the United States 7-3, securing their second consecutive win and advancing to the quarterfinals of the FIH Hockey’s Women’s World Cup in Muscat. India’s goal scorers included Mahima Choudhary (17′), Mariana Kujur (20′, 22′), Deepika Soreng (23′, 25′), Mumtaz Khan (27′), and Ajmina Kujur (29′). Jacqueline Sumfest (4′, 18′) and Captain Linnea Gonzales (14′) scored for the United States.
Jacqueline gave the USA the lead with a reverse shot that struck the bottom corner of the Indian goal. India sought to equalize right away, but goalkeeper Kealsie Robles remained steady in the face of a barrage of chances, charging out to deny the Indian women’s repeated scoring opportunities. The Indian strikers continued to put pressure on the United States in the latter minutes of the first half, but they were unable to get an equalizer. With a minute remaining, United States Captain Gonzales stole a clearance from the Indian defense and fired a close-range shot to double their advantage.
The second half began with India pegging the USA into their own half, and the pressure produced a challenge, which Mahima converted to cut the advantage. However, the USA women remained undaunted and swiftly recovered when Jacqueline unleashed a thundering strike from the half-line to restore her team’s two-goal lead. As India attempted to square the score, Mariana was alert, diverting a cross to breach Kealsie Robles’ goal and bring India within striking distance. Mariana continued to hound the US defense in the second half, pouncing on a loose ball in their half and shooting past Kealsie Robles to level the score 3-3.
After recovering parity, Women in Blue applied pressure on their opponents to take the lead, and Deepika scored from a tight angle to put her team ahead for the first time in the game. Two minutes later, Deepika attempted a shot from a tighter angle, finding the far post and giving India a two-goal lead in the second half.
The Indian onslaught continued, with Mumtaz Khan deflecting a scorching pass from Jyoti Chhatri into the net to extend the lead to 6-3. With a minute remaining in the game, Ajmina intercepted the ball just in front of the net and scored India’s seventh goal with a simple push, earning her side a remarkable win. India won their first match in Pool C against Poland by 5-4. India will play New Zealand in the quarterfinals.
