Let’s take a look at what she has to say –

“It was really tough for me when I started playing hockey in the fifth standard. My mother would work day and night to make sure that we had enough food and therefore it was very difficult for her to save some money for my equipment. And once I made it to the top level, I faced numerous injuries and was out of the Indian team for a long time. However, the most important thing for me was that I never gave up and kept persisting to beat any obstacle in my career and I am very glad that I have featured in many games for India since 2017 after coming back,”

23 Years old Goyal has played 75 matches so far said that “The Ultimate Goal is the win an Olympics Medal.

Goyal has shared some daily work plan as- 

“ We are focusing on the Tokyo Olympics at the moment. We have been working hard on our fitness in the last few months and we will do everything we can to keep getting better at our game in the next few months.” 

We had a fabulous 2019 after winning the FIH Women’s Series Finals and booking a place in the Olympics through the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. We have competed well against top teams in the recent past and therefore we have the belief that we can make history in Tokyo next year. It’s our ultimate goal to win a medal at the Olympics,”

When she got asked about her inspiration in her career, She said Former India Captain Pritam Rani Siwach has had a great influence on her career.  

She said, “ She used to watch Pritam Rani’s photographs in the Local newspaper and used to visit the ground to watch her play, then once Pritam Rani asked her why does she come daily to the ground then Goyal told that she wants to play hockey, as goyal’s parents were not able to afford hockey equipment, Pritam Rani helped her with hockey equipment and told to do hard work.”

“I wouldn’t be here without her where I am today“ – Goyal Said 

The post The Ultimate Goal is to win an Olympic Medal: Neha Goyal first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match:

Quarter 1 – The first quarter started with a PC to team Ireland, but Bichu Devi saved it in the early minutes to avoid any loss. Both the team were seeking out ways to score a goal first but were unable in the first quarter and the scoreline remained at IND 0-0 IRE at the end of the first quarter.

Quarter 2 – In the second quarter, PC was again awarded to team Ireland, but again saved by Bichu Devi. Other great tries by both the teams but no goal was scored by either of the team and the score at the end of the first half remained the same at IND 0-0 IRE.

Quarter 3 – In the third quarter, team India got the PC, and finally Gangandeep marked a goal in the 45th minute, making the score IND 1-0 IRE at the end of the third quarter.

Quarter 4 – In the final quarter, team Ireland got another PC to equalize the scoreline, but unfortunately they missed with team India leading the final match of the series at a score IND 1-0 IRE.

Well Done Team India!

Keep watching this space for further updates to the upcoming matches.

The post Jr. Women Hockey Team India Won the Final Match too of Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International Series first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match:

Quarter 1 – Team India started the match with an early PC but unable to convert. The next PC was awarded to team Scotland and they missed it too as Khushboo saved the great shot by the hosts to avoid the damage. The score at the end of the first quarter was IND 0-0 SCO.

Quarter 2 – In the second quarter, team India won another PC but again missed a great shot. Team Scotland also gave fine shots but failed to score a lead and the scoreline remained unchanged at the end of the first half.

Quarter 3 – In the third quarter, PC was awarded to team Scotland again, but Bichu Devi saved it. In the next minutes, Mumtaz gave a great shot at the goal and made it in the 36^th minute, thereby making the score IND 1-0 SCO.

Quarter 4 – In the last quarter, team India got the PC and a chance to strengthen their lead but missed. In spite of back to back PC’s, no further goal was scored. Then, in the 50^th minute, team Scotland equalized the score with a goal. With another PC, Gagandeep strengthened the lead of team India with a goal in the 51^st minute and the score at the end of the final quarter turned out to be IND 2-1 SCO.

Well Done team India!

The final match of the series will be on 4^th June at 20:15 hrs IST.

Keep watching this space for further updates.

The post Another Win of Jr. Women Hockey Team India in 4 Nations Tournament Against Scotland first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match:

Quarter 1- The first quarter started with both the teams finding ways to score a goal first and team Ireland did it first in the 10th minute thereby making the score IND 0-1 IRE at the end of the first quarter.

Quarter 2 – The second quarter team India was focused on scoring a goal to equalize the score, but missed and the score at the end of the first half remained the same at IND 0-1 IRE.

Quarter 3 – In the third quarter, team India got a PC and Reet nailed it by scoring a goal in the 35th minute, thereby making the score IND 1-1 IRE.

Quarter 4 – In the last quarter, PC was awarded to team Ireland but they missed it. In the next minutes, Sharmilla of team India strengthen the lead with a great shot by making the score IND 2-1 IRE and won the match.

The next match of the series will be against Scottland on 3rd June at 18:00 hrs IST.

Keep watching this space for further updates of the match.

The post Jr. Women’s Team India Won Another Match of Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International Series first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

The post Jr. Women’s Hockey Team India Won the Opening Match of the Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International Tournament first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the details of the team:

Goalkeepers – Savita (Vice Captain) and Rajani Etimarpu

Defenders – Deep Grace Ekka, Nisha, Gurjit Kaur, Salima Tete, Sunita Lakra

Midfielders – Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam

Forwards – Rani (Captain), Vandana Katariya, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Jyoti

Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne said that the team is balanced and well prepared. Reena Khokar is missing from the match due to injury and is replaced by Nisha. After having good exposure in Spain, Malaysia, and Republic of Korea tours, the team got to learn many things and worked upon the improvement points to give their best in the FIH Finals.

All the very best team, India!

Looking forward to great matches in the Final Series.

The post 18-Member Sr. Women Hockey Team India is Ready for FIH Women’s Final Series first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match:

Quarter 1 – In the first quarter, team India ruled the ball in the opening minutes to score a goal first. Both the teams played well, but unable to score at the goal in the first quarter and the score remained at IND 0-0 CAN.

Quarter 2 – In the second quarter, PC was awarded to team Canada in the early minutes and then a great shot at the goal, but Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi saved it to avoid any loss. Another great shot by both the teams but saved by the hosts and the scoreline at the end of the first half remained the same at IND 0-0 CAN.

Quarter 3 – Team India got the PC in the initial minutes of the third quarter but missed the great shot at the goal. Another PC to team Canada, but saved by team India. Finally, a goal by Sharmila in the 45th minute of third quarter making the score IND 1-0 CAN.

Quarter 4 – In the last quarter, PC was again to team Canada, but they missed. The next PC to team India and they strengthen their lead with another goal by Mariana making the score IND 2-0 CAN.

Well Done Team India! Looking forward to excellent performance in the upcoming matches as well.

Keep watching this space for further updates.

The post Jr. Women Hockey Team India Won the Match Against Jr. Team Canada first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match:

Quarter 1 – The first quarter started with both the teams looking out for the ways to score a goal first. However, the team Ireland did it early in the 7th minute making the score IND 0-1 IRE.

Quarter 2 – Again the team Ireland got the PC to strengthen their lead but saved by team India’s goalkeeper Bichu Devi. India juniors, along with playing defensive gave great shots but missed, and the score at the end of the first half remained the same at IND 0-1 IRE.

Quarter 3 – In the third quarter, Sharmila of team India finally managed to score the first goal by giving a brilliant shot and equalizing the score. In the next minutes, PC was awarded to team India to strengthen the lead but missed. In the last minutes, team Ireland gave another shot at the goal and made it with another back to back goal and made the score IND 1-3 IRE at the end of the third quarter.

Quarter 4 – In the last quarter, again, the team Ireland got the PC, and there was another goal. Team India played well but missed the match this time at a score IND 1-4 IRE.

The Jr. team will play the second match against Jr. Women Team Canada on 29th May 20:30 hrs (IST).

Keep watching this space for the further updates of the matches.

The post Indian Jr. Women Hockey Team Lost the Match Against Sr. Women Team Ireland first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match.

Quarter 1 – In the first quarter, team Korea earned the first PC in the early minutes and gave a great shot at the goal by saved by Savita. Another PC to team Korea but no goal was recorded. In the next minutes, team India got the PC but missed the goal. Both the teams gave best shots but missed and the score at the end of Quarter 1 was IND 0-0 KOR.

Quarter 2 – In the second quarter, again the PC was awarded to team Korea, but team India played defensive to avoid any loss. The Korean team finally managed to score a goal in the 29^th minute, thereby making the score IND 0-1 KOR at the end of the first half.

Quarter 3 – Team India was seeking out goal scoring opportunities, but again the team Korea scored a goal with another back to bach goal making the score IND 0-3 KOR at the end of the third quarter.

Quarter 4 – In the final quarter, team India gave another great shot but missed unfortunately and the hosts gave another shot at the goal and recorded a goal again. In spite of trying hard, team India lost this time at a score of IND 0-4 KOR.

At the end of the series, the Chief coach said that the Korean team is good than ours, but the performance the Indian team gave in the first two matches was good. She added that we are improving and will continue to improve to give the best in the upcoming FIH finals in Hiroshima.

Keep watching this space for more updates of the upcoming matches.

The post India Sr. Women’s Hockey Team Lost the Third Match but Won the Series with a Lead first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Below are the highlights of the match:

Quarter 1- The first quarter started with a PC to team Korea, but they missed the goal scoring opportunity. In the next minutes, team India got a chance to score a goal first by getting a PC and a great shot was made but saved by opposing goalkeeper. Both the teams were looking out for goal scoring opportunities to break the deadlock first, but in spite of trying hard, both the teams were unable to score a goal and the first quarter ended at a score IND 0-0 KOR.

Quarter 2- In the early minutes of the second quarter, team Korea gave a great shot at a goal and broke the deadlock first in the 19th minute. Indian players gave great shots as well to equalize the score but missed and the score at the end of the first half was IND 0-1 KOR.

Quarter 3- In the third quarter, team India was giving their best shots starting from the opening minutes and finally a goal by Captain Rani Rampal in the 37th minute. Then, PC was awarded to team Korea but they missed and team India took a deep breath and the score at the end of the third quarter was IND 1-1 KOR.

Quarter 4- In the last quarter, both the teams were aggressive to take the lead and finally a goal by Navjot in the 50th minute giving team India a lead. Team Korea kept on giving great shots, but team India showed defensive skills and saved. So, the team India kept the lead and won this match too with a score IND 2-1 KOR.

Well Done Team India! Looking forward to excellent performance in the upcoming matches as well.

Keep watching this space for further updates of the matches.

The post Women’s Team India Won the Second Match Too of Three Day Match Series at Korea first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.