Thaindian News

By Anand Philar
New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) India cruised past Scotland 4-0 for their second win in three pool A matches of the men’s hockey competition at the Commonwealth Games here Saturday and are tied with Pakistan, whom they take on Sunday, on points.

Leading the Indian charge was 20-year old Dharamvir Singh with two goals (13th, 61st) while Sarvanjit Singh (8th) and Dhananjay Mahadik (61st) chipped in with one apiece.

India and Pakistan have six points each and play Sunday to decide the second qualifier for the semi-finals from this pool.

Pakistan are better placed on goal-difference with +5 to India’s +2 and a draw on the morrow will end home team’s medal hopes.

Earlier, Australia confirmed their entry into the semi-finals from pool A with a 1-0 win against Pakistan for their third consecutive success, courtesy Chris Cirello’s first-half penalty corner conversion.

The scenario in pool B has England (7 points), New Zealand (6) and South Africa (6), besides Canada (4) in the running for the two semi-final slots that will be decided after Sunday’s concluding league fixtures.

England strengthened their chances with a 5-3 defeat of New Zealand while Canada got into the frame by beating Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 to take their tally to four points.

Canada can make the semi-finals if they beat New Zealand on Sunday as also South Africa who face England.

In the match with Scots, Indians dominated as was expected and were up 2-0 by the 13th minute with Sarvanjit Singh and Dharmavir Singh scoring from open play.

The Scottish defence committed elementary errors that led to the goals, but India took them anyway.

Crossing over, Mahadik converted a penalty corner to put India ahead 3-0 in the 51st minute and towards close, Dharamvir flicked home a Rajpal Singh pass for the final goal of the night.

The Scots had better look at the Indian goal in the second-half, but did not get a clear opening to score as the Indian deep defence stood up well under pressure.