India women’s hockey team head coach Sjoerd Marijne has publicly questioned the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) refereeing after India were held to a 2-2 draw by China in their opening match of the Hockey World Cup on Sunday, August 16.
Marijne took to X to highlight the penalty stroke awarded to China in the final minute of the first quarter. The coach posted video footage of the penalty and questioned the FIH’s interpretation of the rules. The Dutch coach claimed the Chinese player appeared to drag the ball during the penalty stroke, something that is not permitted under the rules. However, according to Marijne, the FIH rules committee did not consider the action to be dragging when he sought clarification.
“Good to know, this is apparently NOT dragging. The reaction of the rules committee from the FIH after asking clarification is that this clip of the penalty stroke is not dragging. I have just asked it for clarification what to tell my players,” Marijne wrote on X.
Hockey World Cup: India 2-2 China Match Report
The penalty stroke came at the end of a first quarter that had otherwise been dominated by India. Baljit and Lalremsiami caused problems for China from the wings, while India’s forward line repeatedly found its way into the opposition circle.
The referee awarded China the penalty stroke after ruling that Shilpi Dabas had obstructed China’s Zhang Ying. India took the video referral, but the decision was upheld by the TV umpire.
Zhang made no mistake from the spot to bring China level at 1-1.
The decision appeared to frustrate Marijne, who also questioned another call late in the match after India were not awarded a penalty corner despite Navneet Kaur’s circle penetration.
INDIA HOLD CHINA TO 2-2 DRAW
India had started the match on the front foot and took the lead in the eighth minute through Navneet Kaur. After India earned a free hit, Neha found Navneet inside the circle and the forward showed excellent timing and control to score a field goal. The first quarter was completely dominated by India, with Baljit and Lalremsiami causing problems from the wings, but China were handed a route back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty stroke in the final minute. Zhang Ying made no mistake from the spot to bring China level.
India restored their lead in the 24th minute when Deepika converted a penalty corner. China took a video referral against the decision, but the challenge was unsuccessful, allowing India to go into half-time with a 2-1 lead.
China came back strongly after the break and put the Indian defence under sustained pressure. Savita, playing her 314th international match, produced a brilliant save in the 33rd minute to deny Peng Yang and came up with another stop five minutes later. But China eventually found the equaliser in the 39th minute, with Ma Ning converting a penalty corner. India were forced to defend for long periods in the third quarter as China began to take control, with Savita once again denying Zhang Ying from a penalty corner.
India regained some attacking momentum in the final quarter. Navneet sent a cross towards Lalremsiami in the 52nd minute, but the forward was unable to control it quickly enough before the Chinese defenders cleared the danger. China were reduced to 10 players after Zhou Meirong received a green card in the following minute, but India could not make the numerical advantage count. China earned two consecutive penalty corners in the 56th minute but failed to convert either.
India had one final opportunity when Navneet penetrated the Chinese circle late in the match, but the Chinese defenders managed to stop her and India were not awarded a penalty corner. The 2-2 draw gave India a point against the Paris Olympics silver medallists, but Marijne’s post-match criticism has put the spotlight on the refereeing decisions that went against his team. India will next face South Africa on August 18, while England defeated South Africa 4-0 in the other Pool D match on Sunday.
– Ends
Source link
[ad_3]
