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Hockey: Indian women trounced by Great Britain

Last updated on: August 09, 2016 05:16 IST

IMAGE: Nicola White, centre, of Great Britain celebrates her team's second goal with teammate Helen Richardson-Walsh, in the women’s hockey match against India at the Rio Olympics on Monday night. Photograph: Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters

India’s women’s hockey team failed to replicate the inspiring show they produced against Japan in their opening match and were trounced 3-0 by Great Britain in their second Pool B outing at the Rio Olympics on Monday night.

After a solid display in the first quarter, which ended goalless, the Indians, who rallied from 0-2 down to hold Japan, caved in, unable to match the speed and tactical play of their opponents.

Giselle Ansley put the 2012 London Olympics bronze medallists ahead from a penalty-corner in the second quarter while Nicola White and Alex Danson added to the tally in the third with field goals.

IMAGE: India's Vandana Katariya, left, and Britain's Laura Unsworth battle for possession in the women’s hockey match at the Rio Olympics on Monday. Photograph: Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters

The Indians left wide gaps in midfield, which were exploited by their opponents. 

They tightened their play in the fourth quarter, but lacked the thrust to splinter through the Great Britain defence.

India’s next match is against Australia on August 10. They meet the United States the following day and Argentina on August 13.

Earlier in the day, India's men's hockey team went down 1-2 to defending champions Germany, a goal in the dying minutes doing them in.