Hockey
WHIL: Bengal Tigers outclassed by Odisha Warriors in shootout
After 60 minutes of enthralling action, the match extended into a shootout, the first in WHIL, and it was Odisha who came out winners.
Odisha Warriors registered a shootout win over Bengal Tigers in the WHIL. (Photo Credit: HIL)
Odisha Warriors emerged victorious in their Women's Hockey India League (WHIL) match against Srachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, thanks to a shootout win on Thursday, in Ranchi.
After 60 minutes of enthralling action, the scores were tied at 1-1 and the match went into a shootout, the first-ever in the WHIL, and it was Odisha's goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram who made three crucial saves and gave her team the victory.
With this win, Odisha climbed to the second spot in the WHIL table with five points in three matches, while Bengal Tigers remain in third place, having secured four points in three matches.
An entertaining first half
The match started with a brisk pace and Bengal were on the front foot, making circle entries and creating chances but against the run of play, in the 8th minute, Odisha opened the scoring.
In a typical poacher's finish, Baljeet Kaur was on the end of Victoria Sauze's pass and deflected it expertly into the net, making it 1-0 to the Warriors.
But the Tigers did not take long to respond as in the 16th minute, just 43 seconds into the second quarter, Beauty Dung Dung scored in a rather fortuitous manner, with her shot going between the legs of Jocelyn Bartram.
Both sides continued to push for the winner for the rest of the game but were unable to find it, thanks to astute defending from both sides.
Jocelyn the hero of the shootout
In the shootout, both teams started with a goal apiece with Fiona Crackles and Freeke Moes scoring for Bengal and Odisha each.
Jocelyn then made the first save from goalscorer Beauty Dung Dung and then followed it up with another save from Lalremsiami.
In the interim, Grace O Hanlon, Bengal Tiger's keeper made a save from Sakshi Rana's attempt, keeping her team alive.
Kailin Nobbs put the Warriors 3-2 ahead, and Hannah, needing a goal to keep the Tigers alive, was scuffed away by Jocelyn and that confirmed Odisha's victory.
Bengal Tigers will face Odisha Warriors once again on 19th January, in the return fixture of the WHIL.
