The Indian men made a winning start in the Hero FIH Hockey5s showcase event by registering a 4-3 win against Switzerland before playing out a 2-2- draw in its first day fixtures at Lausanne on Saturday.
In the women’s section, India lost both its games. First India was beaten by Uruguay 3-4 and then it lost to Poland 1-3. Saturday.
Mohammed Raheel (2′, 10′), Rabichandra Moirangthem (5′) and Captain Gurinder Singh (19′) scored in India’s thrilling win, while Jonas Winkler (6′), Fabio Reinhard (11′) and Patrick Kruesi (16′) were the goal scorers for Switzerland.
India made an attacking start in its first match with fast-paced set-play and scored through Mohammed Raheel in the second minute of the game. India extended its lead as Rabichandra Moirangthem made no mistake to convert the Challenge award into a goal in the fifth minute. A minute later, Switzerland pulled a goal back through Jonas Winkler’s strike. In the 10th minute Mohammed Raheel scored his second goal of the match to give India a 3-1 lead at the end of the first half.
A quick start to the second half saw Switzerland scoring its second goal in the 11th minute through Fabio Reinhard, who made a run from the right flank, beating Indian defenders to find the back of the net. Having improved its performance in the second period, the home side equalised through Patrick Kruesi in the 16th minute. With both teams looking for a winner, they created various goalscoring opportunities in the remaining four minutes of the match but their goalkeepers stood tall and made some fine saves. In the 19th minute, India took the lead through captain Gurinder’s strike and in the end, it was goalkeeper Pawan who ensured India pick up a 4-3 win by blocking Switzerland’s stroke in the last minute.
In the second match, India played out a dramatic 2-2 draw against Pakistan. Mohammed Raheel (1′) and Gursahibjit Singh (18′) were the goal scorers for India, while Arshad (7′) and Abdul Rehman (20′) scored for Pakistan.
Riding high on confidence following its first match win, India started the match aggressively right from the start as in-form Mohammed Raheel opened the scoring in the first minute. India went on to dominate the proceedings and made some quick exchanges to try and extend its lead. However, in the 7th minute, Pakistan scored an equaliser through Arshad Liaqat. Both teams did create some goalscoring opportunities in the closing minutes of the first half, but their defences stood well.
Both teams started the second half well and made some threatening moves in front of each other’s goal but missed out on converting their chances. India regained the lead through Gursahibjit Singh’s strike in the 18th minute, but with just a few seconds to go, Abdul Rehman drew parity for Pakistan, thus ending the thrilling contest on level terms.
India went down 3-4 to Uruguay in their opening women’s match, and then went down 1-3 to Poland in its second game.
In the first match, Ajmina Kujur (1′, 7′), and Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke (18′) scored t for India, while Uruguay Captain Teresa Viana (2′, 10′, 19′) scored a hat-trick, and Manuela Vilar (6′) also scored a goal in her team’s win.
India started strongly as Ajmina Kujur scored in the 30th second. Uruguay captain Teresa Viana scored the equaliser straightaway to make it 1-1. Manuela Vilar put Uruguay in the lead a few minutes later, but its lead did not last long as Ajmina Kujur scored her second goal in the match to level the score. Uruguay took the lead before the end of the first half as Teresa Viana scored her second goal of the match.
Showcasing urgency to get back on level terms, India pressed deep inside Uruguay’s territory in the second half. India reaped rewards for its tenacity as Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke struck the ball from a distance to level the score. Just at the stroke of the final whistle, Teresa Viana pumped up a long shot into the nets to get her hat-trick in the match and help Uruguay pick a 4-3 win.
In the second match, Rashmita Minz (6′) scored the sole goal for India while Poland captain Monika Polewczak (16′), Amelia Katerla (18′), and Natasza Suszynska scored for Poland.
India began cautiously against Poland and started stitching passes to create danger inside the opposition’s half. Captain and goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu made a stunning save to deny Poland a chance to take an early lead. Minutes later, Rashmita Minz put India in the lead with a shot from near the halfway line. India kept up the pressure on Polish defence as the first half ended with India ahead by a goal.
Uruguay started threatening moves in the second half, but Rajani Etimarpu continued to stand tall to deny the equaliser. Mumtaz Khan had a chance to double India’s lead from a rebound, but Polish goalkeeper Anna Gabara made the save. Monika Polewczak managed to score the equaliser for Poland. Amelia Katerla and Natasza Suszynska scored two more late goals before the final whistle to help her team pick up a thrilling comeback win.