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.

The post India’s Impressive Journey in the Women’s FIH Pro League 2021-22 first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

A Strong Start: India’s Early Wins

India began the tournament on a high note. On February 8, 2022, they defeated France 5-0, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring two goals. The very next day, they crushed South Africa 10-2, with Jugraj Singh scoring a hat-trick. These wins gave the team a huge boost, showing off their attacking power. Players like Akashdeep Singh also contributed to the team’s strong offense.

Overcoming Setbacks

The road was not always smooth. On February 12, 2022, India lost 5-2 to France. But they quickly bounced back, defeating South Africa 10-2 once again the next day. Against Spain, India won 5-4, with goalkeeper PR Sreejesh making key saves, but later lost 3-5 in a close match. The games against Spain were tough, but India showed they could keep fighting, with Mandeep Singh trying to create more scoring chances.

Close Battles: Tough Matches Against Argentina

March brought more challenges as India faced Argentina in two tough games. The first match ended in a shootout, where India lost 2(1)-2(3). In the second match, India bounced back, winning 4-3. These close games taught India how important it is to stay focused, especially in tight moments.

Big Wins: India Shines Against England and Germany

April saw India back in action. On April 2, 2022, India won a thrilling shootout against England, 3(3)-3(2), with Harmanpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh playing key roles. The next day, India won again, 4-3. Later in April, India defeated Germany in two strong performances—winning 3-0 and 3-1. Players like Surender Kumar and Jarmanpreet Singh were crucial to India’s solid defense.

Challenges in June: Losses to Belgium and Netherlands

As the tournament came to a close, India faced tough teams like Belgium and the Netherlands. India won a nail-biting penalty shootout against Belgium 3(5)-3(4) on June 11, 2022, but lost 2-3 the next day. Against the Netherlands, India struggled, losing both matches 2(1)-2(4) and 1-2. Even in these tough games, India kept fighting hard, with players like Amit Rohidas and Hardik Singh giving their all.

Key Matches Recap

• February 8, 2022: India vs France (India won 5-0)
• February 9, 2022: India vs South Africa (India won 10-2)
• February 12, 2022: India vs France (India lost 2-5)
• February 13, 2022: India vs South Africa (India won 10-2)
• February 26, 2022: India vs Spain (India won 5-4)
• February 27, 2022: India vs Spain (India lost 3-5)
• March 19, 2022: India vs Argentina (India lost 2(1)-2(3))
• March 20, 2022: India vs Argentina (India won 4-3)
• April 2, 2022: India vs England (India won 3(3)-3(2))
• April 3, 2022: India vs England (India won 4-3)
• April 14, 2022: India vs Germany (India won 3-0)
• April 15, 2022: India vs Germany (India won 3-1)
• June 11, 2022: India vs Belgium (India won 3(5)-3(4))
• June 12, 2022: India vs Belgium (India lost 2-3)
• June 18, 2022: India vs Netherlands (India lost 2(1)-2(4))
• June 19, 2022: India vs Netherlands (India lost 1-2)

Final Standings

After an exciting series of matches, India finished in 3rd place in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League. The Netherlands claimed the top spot, with Belgium in second place. Germany and Argentina rounded out the top five. India’s strong performance in crucial matches earned them a well-deserved third-place finish, showing their growth throughout the tournament.

Conclusion: India’s Journey and What’s Next

India’s journey in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League was full of highs and lows. The team celebrated impressive wins, especially against South Africa, England, and Germany, with standout performances from players like Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and PR Sreejesh. But they also faced tough losses, particularly against Belgium and the Netherlands. Despite these challenges, finishing in third place was a huge achievement, showing India’s growth and resilience.

The team learned valuable lessons from both their victories and losses. With more experience, India’s future in international field hockey looks very bright. The players have shown they can compete with the best, and with time, they will continue to improve and aim for even greater success.

The post India’s Standout Moments in the FIH Pro League 2021-22 first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Five years ago he suffered a stroke and has been paralysed since then. “Dad was paralysed after suffering a stroke five years back. He used to walk with a stick but since the last couple of months, his health deteriorated and this morning he left us,” his younger son V P Singh told PTI.

“His last rites will be performed today after my sister reaches Una from Delhi,” V P Singh said.

He lost his wife 12 years ago. While the eldest son is a doctor in Canada, the younger son was with him when he took his last breath. The only daughter of Mr Singh is married and based in New Delhi.

Singh, midfielder and two-time Olympian was remarkable in the fields. He was a part of team India during its glorious days in the Olympics. He led the team in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, defeating Pakistan in the final and participated in the Indian team in Rome Olympics, 1960, where India claimed silver.

He was an alumnus of Col Brown Cambridge School, Dehradun and Panjab University. After his acclaimed career in international hockey, he served as the Director of the Physical Education Department in Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. 

Singh was a devoted hockey player and still had memories of the Rome Olympics where India lost by a delicate 0-1 margin against arch-rival Pakistan. Four years later, under his captaincy, India defeated Pakistan and clinched gold in the Tokyo Olympics.

Recollecting the fond memory in the lead-up to last year’s Tokyo Olympics, Charanjit had told Hockey India Flashback Series: “Both the teams were regarded among the strongest teams during that time, and we had a very challenging outing against them (Pakistan).

“Moreover, you know how intense it becomes when you play against Pakistan that too in the final of the Olympics. The match was also interrupted briefly to cool down the tempers of both teams.

“I told my boys to focus on the game, rather than wasting time talking to them. We were tested hard but also showed great character, and won the match by a narrow 1-0 margin to return home with that historic gold medal.”

“Winning two medals for the country has been a moment of pride and honour for me. You know, after winning the gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, we were accorded a warm welcome on our arrival at the airport, a lot of fans had assembled, and it was a very special feeling for every one of us,” the eminent further shared. 

“Hockey was a very popular sport in India. It was given more importance because of the rich history, and our country had dominated in this sport in early years. We had won many gold medals at a prestigious event like the Olympics, and that was the key reason behind it.” 

“He was a legendary halfback who inspired an entire generation of players. He was a very cool-headed captain and he will forever be remembered for his incredible skills on the field and for his humility off the field,” Hockey India president Gyanendro Nigombam added.

The post India mourns the demise of Hockey eminent Charanjit Singh first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

To your recollection, Manpreet had led the men’s team to the Olympic Bronze after a desperate wait of 41 years.

“Asian Games will undoubtedly be the biggest event for us this year. Surely the competition will be quite tough at the Asian Games as all teams will be vying to make the Olympics cut (by winning gold),” he said, as quoted by PTI.

The team winning Gold at the Asian Games, starting from September 10, automatically qualifies for the Olympics. India claimed a Bronze medal in the Jakarta Games in 2018. 

The FIH Pro League matches begin in February and India will play the likes of Spain, Germany, Argentina and England in Bhubaneswar.

“This year is going to be quite exciting with back-to-back tournaments all year long. We begin with FIH Pro League matches in February. After almost two years, we will be returning to our favourite venue in Bhubaneswar where we will play double-headers against Spain, Germany, Argentina and England,” he said.

“The FIH Pro League will help us gain some really good match experience ahead of Asian Games. Additionally, it will give us a great opportunity to try out different combinations ahead of Asian Games,” he said in a Hockey India release.

The players are set to report at SAI Bengaluru for the national camp after a short break following their Asian Champions Trophy outing in Dhaka.

Manpreet said the camp will be important to assess their performances from last year and also plan for the year ahead.

“It was a very good 10-day break for all of us, spending some quality time with our families. I feel we have returned to the camp feeling mentally fresh and ready for the challenge ahead.

“We will be assessing our performances in 2021 with the Chief Coach and support staff and we will also draw up a road map for 2022,” added the midfielder.

The post One eye on Asian Games, other on Olympics first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.