On August 2, India to play against Ireland for the quarterfinal match.
Asian
champions India powered past lower-ranked Italy with an easy 3-0
victory in a playoff here on Tuesday to set-up a quarter-final
against Ireland in the Women's
Hockey World Cup.
World
No 10 India produced a good all-round display and were helped by
goals from Lalremsiami (ninth minute), Neha Goyal (45th) and Vandana
Katariya (55th) at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
India
had to be alert against world No 17 Italy, who had defeated
higher-ranked sides South Korea and China to qualify for the
playoffs. Even though the European outfit conceded 12 goals against
the Netherlands in their last game, both Italy and India were guarded
against each other. It resulted with the match opening up with a slow
tempo during the beginning moments of the first period.
But
India created a glorious opportunity in the ninth minute as Navjot
Kaur won the first penalty corner of the match. The resulting flick
was taken by Gurjit Kaur and her fierce strike was deflected away by
the first rusher.
India
took their long corner quickly, managing to exploit the space in the
Italian striking circle, and young striker Lalremsiami benefitted
from it as she produced a calm finish from the left side of the goal
to give India the lead.
The
early stages of the second quarter saw India's captain Rani Rampal
create a chance in the 17th minute as she ran by the left baseline,
passing the ball inside which was eventually cleared by Italian
goalkeeper Martina Chirico.
The
Italian goalkeeper was called into action again two minutes later as
Udita found herself in the striking circle, clear of all Italian
defenders, but Chirico got to the ball first to clear away the
danger.
India
seemed content to invite the Italians inside their half, and looked
to attack them on the counter, hoping to catch their opponents off
guard.
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