Indian women’s hockey team was pushed to the brink of being relegated from the FIH Pro League on Saturday after its 3-0 loss to China in Berlin.
Salima Tete-led side is placed last amongst nine teams with 10 points in 15 games. India needs a favourable result from the fixture between seventh-placed Germany and eighth-placed England, set to take place later in the day, to keep its slender hopes of playing in the next season of the tournament.
Coach Harendra Singh’s team started the match against China on a positive note as it earned two quick Penalty Corners (PCs) in the fourth minute but failed to convert either of them.
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China, Paris Olympics silver medallist, took the lead after Chen Yang converted a PC in the 21st minute. Five minutes later, Zhang Ying made it 2-0 for her side from another PC.
India enjoyed most of the possession in the third quarter but it was China which extended its lead courtesy a field goal from Yu Anhui in the last minute.
China’s was reduced to 10 players for the last five-and-a-half minutes after Chen Tong was issued a 10-minute yellow card. But India failed to make the advantage count with Deepika, taking a Penalty Stroke, hitting the post.
India faces China in its last match of the season on Sunday and anything less than a win will confirm the side’s relegation to FIH Nations Cup.