Hockey News: India one-step away from quarter-finals

India kept their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup alive as captain Rani Rampal's goal earned her team the all-important draw against the USA to make it to the playoffs that will decide the last four quarter-finalists. The USA took the lead in the 11th minute of the match and held onto it at half-time. India, having wasted four penalty corners before half-time, scored off their fifth set-piece in the 31st minute when Rani decided to shoulder the responsibility and beat US goalkeeper Jackie Briggs off a direct hit. It was a different Indian team that came out in the third quarter and quickly found the equaliser through their skipper. India tried a variation of their sixth and last penalty corner when Rani played a dummy and Gurjit took the flick, but a brilliant right-handed save from Briggs kept India from taking lead. India needed at least a draw in their third and last league match to finish among top three in Pool B as both the teams had one point from a draw and a defeat in their previous two matches. Ireland progressed directly to quarter-finals from Pool B having confirmed their position as No.1, while England and India will feature in the crossover matches. The result of England's match against Ireland later will decide the second and third position in the pool between the hosts and India.