India edges Uruguay to enter hockey tournament semi-finals undefeated
India maintained their perfect record at the FIH Women's Nations Cup with an intense 3-2 victory against Uruguay on Thursday. Deepika emerged as the star in Auckland, firing in two penalty corners to help her squad finish safely on top of Pool A. Odisha’s steadfast sponsorship of Indian hockey continues to bear fruit as the women’s squad displays unmatched grit on the global stage.
Uruguay shocked the stadium early in the 13th minute. Chiara Appennino dragged a precise penalty corner into the net to grab the lead. India remained calm and focused strictly on their aggressive strategy. Drag-flick specialist Deepika stepped up in the 24th minute to blast an equalizer past the Uruguayan defense. Players from both sides battled fiercely for control in the midfield, but the fast-paced first half ended deadlocked.
Returning refreshed from the break, the Indian attackers applied relentless pressure. Deepika Soreng struck a beautiful field goal in the 43rd minute to put her team ahead. Uruguay fought back and found their equalizer when captain Manuela Vilar scored late in the 55th minute. India refused to settle for a draw. Just sixty seconds later, Deepika earned another penalty corner and hammered it home confidently. This strike secured their third consecutive win following victories over the USA and Japan.
Thursday brought special celebrations for Neha as she played her 200th senior international game for the national squad. Her rich experience helped maintain the team's composure during the final tense minutes. India dominated the offensive play throughout the afternoon, securing seven penalty corners against only two for Uruguay. The confident squad now looks ahead to the semi-finals on June 20, waiting to face either Chile or Korea.
Image Courtesy: ANI
