The profligate forwards of the Indian women's hockey team squandered numerous sitters but still managed a comfortable 3-1 win against Russia in their first match of the Olympic Qualifier in Kazan on Saturday.
Fifteen-year-old Rani Devi scored in her debut match to open the account for India in the ninth minute when she deflected a Jasjeet Kaur pass. Russia drew parity with Anna Guteneva scoring in the first minute of the second half.
Jasjeet scored a field goal midway through the second half as India retained lead and then it was left to Pritamrani Siwach to seal the match with a goal two minutes before the hooter.
"We could have played better, but we are happy we got the full points in the first match," said captain Mamta Kharab.
India dictated terms in the first half but poor finishing let them down. Their penalty corner drill fell flat on its face against the lowly ranked hosts and the Russian defence did well to thwart experienced Suman Bala's direct hits on more than one occasion.
"India should have been up 3-0 in the first half which they thoroughly dominated. We could have played better," said Ric Charlesworth, Technical Director of the Indian Hockey Confederation.
