FIH Pro League 2024-25: Indian women on the brink of relegation after 3-0 loss to China

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. Baljeet Kaur had the first real chance but her shot from the top of the circle in the third minute went wide. A minute later, India earned two quick Penalty Corners (PCs) but failed to convert either of them.

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China got its act together soon and earned its first PC a minute later but India defended well. Veteran India goalkeeper Savita made some fine saves to deny the Chinese, including one in the 13th minute to keep out Guoting Hao’s reverse hit.

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.