FIH Women's World Cup: Wasteful India lose 3-4 to New Zealand, will play in crossover for quarter-final berth

New Zealand topped the pool with seven points ahead of England (4), while India and China finished on two points apiece but progressed on account of a better goal difference. According to the tournament format, the top four sides from four pools will directly qualify for the quarterfinals, while the second and third placed teams will feature in the crossovers. The winner of the crossover matches will grab the remaining four quarterfinal spots. It should have been game, set and match for India in the regulation 60 minutes if not for an uncountable missed chances, including as many as 15 penalty corners, out of which they converted just one.

India will now play the second placed team in Pool C for a place in the quarterfinals in Terrassa, Spain on Sunday. Vandana Katariya (4th minute), Lalremsiami (44th) and Gurjit Kaur (59th) were the goal scorers for India on Thursday, while New Zealand goals were scored by Olivia Merry (12th, 54th), Tessa Jopp (29th) and Frances Davies (32nd). The Indians started brightly, enjoying early possession and their efforts bore fruit when a diving Vandana deflected in Lalremsiami's push after a quick turn from inside the D in the fourth minute. In the 10th minute, Shamila Devi had a brilliant opportunity to hand India the lead from a one-one-situation with New Zealand goalkeeper Brooke Roberts, only to falter but in the process secured India's first penalty corner.

Gurjit's powerful flick from the resultant set piece was saved by Roberts. New Zealand secured their first penalty corner in the 12th minute and Olivia Merry found the net with a routine shot through the legs of India skipper and custodian Savita to level the scores. Three minutes into the second quarter, Lalremsiami was denied by