Despite having lost their previous two matches, India have looked like the sort of side that could cause an upset and a draw against England this afternoon was a scalp of sorts. India started out the match packing their defence but Surinder Kaur made some dangerous runs into the England twenty-five. It was a foul on Kaur that led to the first penalty corner of the match, although India were not able to make anything of it. England had a chance in the 15th minute, when a Mel Clewlow shot from penalty corner rebounded off Innocent’s pads and Jo Ellis narrowly missed scoring from the rebound. On the stroke of half-time Asunta Lakra seemed to have put India ahead when she roofed the ball into the England net, but the shot was disallowed for dangerous play. England came out for the second half looking for a goal and 12 minutes into the half Chloe Rogers put England ahead. With just over 10 minutes remaining, India were awarded a penalty corner, but Kaur’s shot at goal struck a defender and she stepped up to take the resultant penalty stroke to tie the match. But it was as the last minutes ticked by that England thought they had taken the lead. A pass was deflected into the net by Kerry Williams but following a review by the video umpire the goal was disallowed. Final score 1-1.
The Spanish express train was shunted off into a siding by the Dutch earlier this afternoon. The Spanish, who have boxed above their weight in their two previous matches looked very ordinary against the Dutch, who ran out 2-0 winners. Germany, who seemed to be performing much under par in their previous matches, regained their form to win against China 3-1.
The injury to Kate Walsh, which saw her stretchered off in the match against the Netherlands on Friday, may not be as bad as was originally feared. She may be able to take part in one of England’s two remaining matches. England are not entirely out of the running for a semi-final place. Much may depend on the outcome of their next match, against Germany on Tuesday. Three points from that match is a tall order, but not an impossible one.
