Thaindian News

By Anand Philar
New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) It was heartbreak for the Indian women’s hockey team as it failed to make the medal round in the Commonwealth Games despite a 3-1 win against South Africa here Saturday.

India and South Africa were tied seven points but the latter advanced to the semi-finals on superior goal-difference.

For India, it was so near and yet so far as they needed to beat South Africa by a four-goal margin to get ahead on goal-difference, but fell short by two goals.

The spirited Indians, backed by a capacity crowd, nearly achieved the target, only to fail in the end and finished third in the pool with a goal-difference of +8 to South Africa’s +11.

The Indians, showing urgency, led 3-0 at half time on goals by Deepika Thakur (11th, 21st) and Surinder Kaur (34th), but could not add to the tally in the second session when the South Africans scored through veteran Pietie Coetzee (46th).

India started on a very positive note by applying pressure on South Africa with a series of attacks from either flank. One of the moves led to a penalty corner in the 11th minute. Deepika completed a three-touch move for an indirect conversion to give India 1-0 lead.

The South Africans were feeling the heat and the pressure as mistakes flowed from their defenders, enabling India to control the exchanges.

Past the 21st came the second penalty corner and again India came good with Deepika on target with a direct hit to the boards for a 2-0 advantage.

Thereafter, India redoubled their efforts and had a great chance to add more to the tally, but first Rani Rampal and then Surinder Kaur failed to beat goalkeeper Vuyisanani Mangisa from close.

A little before half-time, Surinder made amends with a blistering run on the right and capping it with a carpet shot to the boards and India crossed over with a 3-0 lead.

On crossing over, the Indians seemed to slacken just a bit and South Africa needed no second invitation and 11 minutes into the half, Coetzee converted a penalty corner.

The goal provided an added cushion for the South Africans who at this stage had a goal-difference of +11 to India’s +8.

India wasted another chance when Chanchan Devi could not beat the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation with about 15 minutes on the clock and soon after, the hosts failed to convert two more penalty corners with Mangisa effecting saves off both.

The scores remained unchanged as South Africans managed to launch an attack and forced two penalty corners in the final minute as India ran out of time.

The South Africans will meet pool B leaders New Zealand who earlier chalked up their fourth win beating Canada 3-1.

In the other semi-final, Australia, who topped pool A with 10 points after defeating Scotland 5-0, take on England who overcame Malaysia 3-0 to finish second in pool B.