Mumbai, Aug. 21 -- With seconds left on the clock, Tessa Howard found some space inside the shooting circle. If there was a player England wanted in that position, it was her. Howard is a 27-year-old who was part of the England team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. At the ongoing FIH Hockey World Cup, she had two goals to her name. In that moment, in the 59th minute of play, she looked poised to get her third. A drop of the right shoulder, a quick turn, and then a well-connected reverse hit sent the ball towards goal. It was her moment. But the moment wasn't hers alone. It was also Bichu Devi Kharibam's time to shine. The Indian goalkeeper dove to her left and palmed the ball away from danger. A few seconds later, the final hooter sounded. Through most of the last decade, the Indian women's hockey team has punched above its weight in major international tournaments. On Thursday, at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, they did it again. Needing at least a draw against world No. 7 England, India kept the match goal-less to secure passage into the second round of the World Cup. In doing so, India ensured a Top 8 finish at the competition for the first time since they finished eighth in 2018. "(Before the match) we had decided that we will fight for everything," captain Salima Tete said after the match to the FIH. "As a team, we defended really well, we did not stop." The reflection was succinct, but accurate.Pool D in the tournament was the Group of Death, with world No.4 China, England and world No.9 India being three top 10 teams fighting for the top two spots along with No.18 South Africa. China, the reigning Olympic silver medallists, was always going to be tough one. Yet India began their campaign with an impressive 2-2 draw. The 6-1 win over South Africa that followed meant India needed only a draw against England, who had lost to China earlier. England needed the win and would have been quietly confident having beaten India 2-0 in the final of the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad in March. But India started as the more aggressive of the two teams, making more forays into the opposition half and getting more shots at goal. After halftime, though, England started pushing for the win they desperately needed. The passing and movement between the English players were swift and precise in the build-up. But India's staunch defence held firm. Sushila Chanu Pukrambam, a 34-year-old veteran, marshalled the backline ferociously. Nikki Pradhan, a 32-year-old veteran in the squad, was just as resilient. As were the younger defenders Ishika Chaudhary and Shilpi Dabas. There was also help all-around: Baljeet Kaur made a few diving interceptions, Neha Goyal used her experience to cover gaps at the back, Tete and Lalremsiami also charged back to add numbers in defence....