Torneo del Centenario 2023 hockey: Lalremsiami’s hat-trick helps India women beat England 3-0
The Indian women’s hockey team registered its first win in Terrassa and went to the top of the standings. India will play Spain next on Sunday.
Hockey
The Indian women’s hockey team beat Commonwealth Games champions England 3-0 in its third match of the three-nation Torneo del Centenario 2023 in Terrassa, Spain on Saturday.
Lalremsiami (13’, 17’ and 56’) scored a hat-trick for India.
This was the Indian women’s team’s first win at the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation International Tournament 2023. India had held England to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday before playing out a 2-2 draw against Spain on Thursday.
With the win, India took the top spot in the standings with five points from three matches while England finished their campaign with four points from four games. Hosts Spain are second with four points and will play India on Sunday.
A draw against Spain in their fourth and final game of the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation International Tournament will be enough for India to win the trophy.
The Indian hockey team, world No. 8 in the FIH women’s hockey rankings, began the match attacking the England half with long balls. World No. 6 England, meanwhile, looked to maintain possession.
India’s aggressive intent paid off in the 13th minute as Lalremsiami scored a field goal to give her team the lead.
India carried the momentum into the second quarter and doubled the advantage. Lalremsiami scored again to put India ahead by 2-0.
Stung by the quick goals, the England women’s hockey team upped its attacking intent but the Indian defence was up to the task. The second quarter ended with India holding a two-goal lead.
India maintained possession in the third quarter and slowed the game down. England, meanwhile, showcased a little more urgency and looked to use the flanks to make inroads into the Indian half.
The England midfield conjured several chances in front of the goal but the forwards failed to add the finishing touches in front of the goal. The third quarter failed to yield any more goals.
The fourth quarter saw England push bodies forward in search of a goal. However, it was India, who scored the third goal of the match four minutes from the final hooter. Lalremsiami intercepted a long ball in front of the goal and slotted in to complete her hat-trick. The goal also rounded up India’s win.