When you are on a 17-match unbeaten streak against a team, you start as overwhelming favourites. The Indian women's hockey team did justice to its reputation with a 6-0 win against Malaysia in their second pool outing. That said, as a team which has a Paris Olympics berth at stake, the Savita-led team gave a rather poor account of its potential.
The grim face of chief coach Janneke Schopman in the dugout was an indication of the team's shoddy show after the first quarter, especially in penalty corners in which they managed to convert two off 13. It also worked in Malaysia's favour that they swapped goalkeepers Mashitah Khalid for Hazlinda Nur Abidin and the latter was impressive in holding off the Indian attack after the break.
