As the National Anthem was played for the second time in the day — the first time was wrongly for France men’s team — the Indian women got down to business against Ukraine. The common perception was that they need to beat South Africa just once, that too in the final, to book a ticket to London. However, with every passing minute this perception kept fading under the floodlights.
As Indian forward line slowed down and started playing more in its half, it was the turn of a much fitter Ukrainian side, supposedly the weakest in the tournament, to push hard towards the Indian 25-yard circle. India paid dearly for conceding penalty corners at regular intervals as Ukraine thumped one in their second attempt in the 25th minute. The only chance that India got to equalise in the first half was in the last minute, but a few tired legs in the D messed it up.
Indians came back strongly after the resumption and made amends. In the 42nd minute, Jasjeet passed one to Yendala Soundarya inside the penalty area and the latter made no mistake in guiding the ball inside the net to equalise. India had a chance to take lead but a Poonam Rani shot was disallowed.
