Auckland: The Indian women’s hockey team staged a remarkable comeback to clinch a 3-2 win over the USA in its opening Pool A match of the FIH Nations Cup.
For India, Deepika netted a brace while Navneet Kaur also scored. Ashley Sessa and Madeleine Zimmer were on the score-sheet for the USA. The winner of the Nations Cup will be promoted to the elite Pro league, from which India were relegated last season.
The USA got off to a great start and opened the scoring through Ashley, who found the back of the net with a field goal in the fourth minute.
The Americans doubled their advantage just three minutes later when Madeleine Zimmer (7’) converted a penalty corner to put India under early pressure. Trailing by two goals, India gradually began to assert themselves in attack.
Their efforts paid off in the second quarter when drag-flick specialist Deepika (17’) successfully converted a penalty corner to reduce the deficit and bring India back into the game.
