The Indian women's hockey team produced a resolute show against Olympic silver medallists China to draw their opening match of the FIH World Cup at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
The match ended 2-2 with India taking the lead twice thanks to Navneet Kaur and Deepika but China responded with goals from Zhang Ying and Ma Ning.
China came into the match as favourites but it was India who started the match on a positive note. They were confident on the ball and moved it really well. The first goal came in the eighth minute with Navneet coming up with a superb first time finish from Neha's pass. It was a tight angle with plenty of bodies ahead of her but she managed to beat the goalkeeper on the far post to put India ahead.
China barely created chances in the first quarter but equalised from a penalty stroke after a foul by Shilpi Dabas on Zhong Jiaqi. Zhang Ying stepped up and converted from the spot to make it 1-1.
India maintained their good form in the second quarter and Deepika made it 2-1 in the 25th minute from a penalty corner. It took a deflection after hitting a Chinese player and beat the goalkeeper. It was a deserving lead again as India were much better than their opponents.
China head coach Alyson Annan wanted their players to play with more confidence in the second half and China responded positively. They upped the ante and pushed hard to equalise. After relentless attacks, the goal came in the 39th minute from a penalty corner thanks to Ma Ning -- a solid dragflick to make it 2-2.
Despite China's dominance, India had a couple of solid chances, both falling to Lalremsiami but she couldn't convert.
China pushed hard in the final quarter as India defended resolutely to ensure they take at least a point from the match.
For now, England sit on top of Pool D after they had defeated South Africa 4-0 in their earlier match on Sunday. India will be in action against South Africa on Tuesday while China will face England on the same day. Only the top two teams in a group make it to the second round so both India and China will look to avoid losing in their next games.
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