New Delhi:
India’s junior women’s hockey team fought bravely to hold hosts New Zealand to a 2-2 draw in their second match of the six-Test series at the TET Multisports Centre in Stratford.
The junior Blacksticks women had a good start to the game as Kelsey Smith scored the initial goal of the match to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the first half.
After the change of ends, the Indian girls made a spirited fightback and level the scores with a close range goal that came from the stick of striker Anupa Barla.
The match intensified thereafter as both the teams went on the offensive and created a lot of scoring opportunities.
India was soon awarded a penalty corner and Jaspreet Kaur made no mistake by flawlessly converting the opportunity low to the right of New Zealand goalkeeper.
But Rachel McCann equalised for New Zealand with another field goal 12 minutes from the final hooter.
In the last quarter of the game both the teams managed to create a few more scoring chances but could not capitalise on the chances.
The third Test between India and New Zealand will be played on the same ground on Saturday.
