India edges Canada in Game 1 from Surrey

Photo: Wil Lach

June 16, 2010

SURREY – The Canadian women’s national field hockey team were edged 3-2 by India Tuesday evening in the first of their four-match test series.

India opened the scoring in the 15th minute on a penalty corner goal from Indian captain Surinder Kaur.

Canadian goalkeeper Azelia Liu made a great save on another Indian chance in the 19th minute.

Canada came out strong in the second half with a fantastic scoring
chance when Crystal Poland took the ball from the half and made a great pass
to Stephanie Nesbitt whose reverse stick shot was saved by the Indian goalie.

Six minutes into the second half Canada’s Thea Culley would equalize on a field play.  India would then respond with a penalty corner goal in the 53rd minute and a field goal in the 61st minute from Ritu Rani and Rani Rampal respectively.

Canada fought back and in the 69th minute was rewarded when Poland made a
great pass to an open Robyn Pendleton who took it on the reverse and
slotted it past the goalkeeper.

The Canucks came close to tying the game in the 70th minute when Nesbitt just missed on her reverse shot.

"Canada competed well in the match and generated some excellent
chances.  We are very aware that India is a good team and we must
improve our ball possession ability to stay competitive in the matches to come," said head coach Louis Mendonca after the match.

Canada next plays India on Thursday evening at Tamanawis Park in Surrey.

Congratulations to Kaela Barker and Crystal Poland who played in their first international game for Canada.  

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