New Delhi: India recorded a perfect start to their campaign in the Women’s FIH Pro League 2025 with a comfortable 3-2 win over higher-ranked England at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneshwar on Saturday, February 15. Navneet Kaur bagged the winner for India after the hosts scored from two penalty corners. It was a resolute display from India against a quality English side.
Vaishnavi Phalke opened the scoring for India in the sixth minute before Deepika bagged the second goal in the 25th minute. Navneet scored the winner in the decisive moments of the game to secure a 3-2 win for the hosts. Vaishnavi’s goal came from a penalty corner which was taken by Manisha Chauhan. It was a firm shot from Manisha which struck a defender’s stick before landing in play again.
Vaishnavi capitalised on the rebound to place in the back of the net and give India the lead. However, India’s joy was cut short when Darcy Bourne scored the equaliser for England in the 12th minute. Bourne made India pay for a defensive error in front of the goal to level the score.
It was a goal against the run of play as a sloppy clearance from Indian defender Ishika Chaudhary gave Bourne a chance to beat the keeper from a close range for the equaliser. India once again went ahead when Deepika converted a penalty corner after the break to make it 2-1 in the hosts’ favour. England came all guns blazing in the fourth quarter to earn as many as three penalties with their forwards troubling the Indian defence consistently.
Fiona scored the equaliser for England with just two minutes remaining on the clock in the final quarter as the game seemed destined for a draw. However, Navneet pulled off the winner in the dying moments of the match to secure a thrilling victory for the hosts.
Navneet Kaur scores the winner
A minute after Fiona levelled the score for England at 2-2, Navneet produced a brilliant counter-attacking goal to power India to victory. After Navneet’s winner, India defended well in the final minutes of the game to secure a late victory. Despite not managing to get on the scoresheet, Toppo Sunelita was named the Player of the Match for her exceptional display in the match.
India defeated England 3-2 in their opening game in the Women’s FIH Pro League 2025 on Saturday. Navneet Kaur scored the winner for India in the game. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
