India maintains the tradition of winning start at CWG
Scotland, 25 July 2014: Sardar Singh’s boys kept up the winning start tradition of India, with a statistically satisfying 3-1 win over fighting Wales in the opening match at Glasgow.
The opening match for both progressed with a positive approach with both teams exhibiting aggressive brand of hockey. Though it was India who continued its dominance and attack on the opponents, as they opened their account in the 20th minute when V R Raghunath made no mistake in converting a penalty corner. Three minutes later Wales scored an equalizer through A. Cornick. Till half time score was levelled at 1-1.
Coming into the second half, India yet again maintained its momentum and in the 36th minute earned a penalty corner but failed to convert it. It was only five minutes later when Rupinder Pal Singh successfully converted a penalty corner in the 42nd minute, taking the score to 2-1. With teammate Gurwinder Singh Chandi’s support in the 47th minute India took the lead further ahead and sealed the match with 3-1 on the board marking India’s victorious start in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Coach Terry Walsh seemed to be satisfied with the results: He said: “Our aim was to score more goals in today’s game against Wales as per our strategy but some small mistakes didn’t allow us to achieve it. Whatever shortcomings we have seen in today’s game will be rectified and not repeated in the game against Scotland. The team is in a good shape and motivated after today’s win, to take on the opponents and steal the show with even better results in the second game”.
The match was well balanced between both the teams during the half time, with each scoring 1-1. It was the second half which was the deciding session and the Indian team kept its nerves and came out with a victorious 3-1 on board.
Indian men will take on Scotland in their next game on 26 July 2014 at 2030hrs IST and will be telecasted live on Ten Action, Ten Sports and Ten HD.