The 2021–22 Women’s FIH Pro League was a thrilling journey for the Indian women’s hockey team, marking their debut in the competition. Running from October 13, 2021, to June 26, 2022, this edition brought with it some unforgettable performances and moments for the Indian side. With remarkable victories and hard-fought losses, the Indian team secured a well-earned 3rd place in the final standings, showcasing their resilience and determination throughout the campaign. Let’s have a recap of the matches that defined India’s journey in the tournament.
A Flying Start: India vs China (7-1 and 2-1)
India’s debut in the FIH Pro League began with an impressive win over China. The match on January 31, 2022, saw India dominate with a resounding 7-1 victory. Sushila Chanu’s two penalty stroke goals helped set the tone, while Navneet Kaur, Gurjit Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Neha, and Sharmila Devi all found the back of the net. The following day, India clinched another victory, this time a 2-1 win over China, reinforcing their strong start to the tournament.
The Spain Challenge: Wins and Losses
India’s encounter with Spain was a mixed affair. On February 26, 2022, India triumphed 2-1, but they couldn’t replicate the same success the next day, falling 3-4 in a tightly contested match. Despite the loss, India’s performance against the Spanish side displayed their growing confidence and skill at this level.
Battles with Germany: A Draw and a Win
March 12, 2022, saw India face Germany in a high-pressure encounter. The match ended 1-1, with both sides drawing after regulation time. However, Germany clinched the shootout 2-1. India’s resilience in defense and offensive counters was evident, but they fell short in the shootout. The next day, however, India bounced back, beating Germany 1-0 in the second match, with Savita Punia’s solid goalkeeping and a brilliant team effort ensuring the victory.
A Dominant Performance Against England
April 2 and 3, 2022, were memorable for the Indian team as they delivered a dominant performance against England. India won both matches 5-0, with clinical finishes and organized defense, showcasing the team’s capacity to dominate at this level.
Tight Encounters with the Netherlands
India’s fixtures against the Netherlands on April 8 and 9, 2022, were intense. In the first match, India won 2-1, but the second match saw a dramatic turnaround as India fought valiantly but lost 1(1)-1(3) in a shootout. Despite the shootout loss, India’s tactical play and defensive discipline kept them competitive against the reigning world champions.
Setbacks Against Belgium and Argentina
June proved to be challenging for India, with losses to Belgium (1-2 and 0-5) reflecting some of the team’s struggles. However, a spirited comeback saw India draw 3-3 against Argentina on June 18, 2022, with Savita Punia’s heroic saves in the shootout giving India a 2-1 win, marking their first-ever victory over Argentina. They followed this up with a hard-fought 2-3 loss in the second match against the same opponents.
The USA Triumphs: Two Big Wins
India finished their Pro League campaign with two convincing victories over the United States. On June 21, 2022, India came from behind to win 4-2, thanks to goals from Deep Grace Ekka, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, and Vandana Katariya. The following day, they clinched another victory, this time 4-0, with goals from Vandana Katariya and Sonika securing a comprehensive win. These victories ensured India’s third-place finish in the standings, a remarkable achievement in their debut season.
Match List
Here’s a complete list of India’s matches in the 2021-22 Women’s FIH Pro League:
- January 31, 2022: India vs China (India won 7-1)
- February 1, 2022: India vs China (India won 2-1)
- February 26, 2022: India vs Spain (India won 2-1)
- February 27, 2022: India vs Spain (India lost 3-4)
- March 12, 2022: India vs Germany (India lost 1(1)-1(2))
- March 13, 2022: India vs Germany (India won 1(3)-1(0))
- April 2, 2022: India vs England (India won 5-0)
- April 3, 2022: India vs England (India won 5-0)
- April 8, 2022: India vs Netherlands (India won 2-1)
- April 9, 2022: India vs Netherlands (India lost 1(1)-1(3) in a shootout)
- June 11, 2022: India vs Belgium (India lost 1-2)
- June 12, 2022: India vs Belgium (India lost 0-5)
- June 18, 2022: India vs Argentina (India won 3(2)-3(1) in a shootout)
- June 19, 2022: India vs Argentina (India lost 2-3)
- June 21, 2022: India vs United States (India won 4-2)
- June 22, 2022: India vs United States (India won 4-0)
Final Standings: A Promising Debut Season
India finished third in the FIH Pro League 2021-22 standings, a commendable result for their debut season. The final standings saw Argentina claim first place, followed by the Netherlands in second, India secured third, ahead of Belgium and Spain, who completed the top five.
Key Takeaways from India’s Campaign
India’s journey in the Women’s FIH Pro League 2021-22 was marked by some standout performances and a few setbacks, all contributing to a steep learning curve for the team. The victories over teams like China, Spain, England, and the United States were crucial moments in India’s development, while their resilient performances against the Netherlands, Germany, and Argentina showcased their potential against the best in the world.
As the Indian team moves forward, this debut season will be remembered as a foundation upon which the future of women’s hockey in India can be built, with young players rising to the occasion and veterans like Savita Punia, Vandana Katariya, and Gurjit Kaur leading the charge. Their performance has set the stage for future successes, and the Indian women’s hockey team will undoubtedly continue to improve and grow, becoming a force to be reckoned with in international hockey.
