India’s hockey chances grim despite T&T victory
S. THYAGARAJAN
With the focus shifting on to spotting the qualifiers in the women’s hockey competition, the tie between India and Trinidad and Tobago was looked forward to more than ordinary interest on Friday.
India’s chances of making the podium this time looks like a mirage despite the 7-0 win recorded day, the first win in three matches. India won the gold in 2002 and the silver in 2006 at Melbourne.
If the team finishes without a medal of any hue, it should not come as a surprise given the myriad of issues that preceded the event, ranging from a scandal down to the change of coach in a hurry leave alone the administration of the sport.
On current calculations, India needs a huge win – by an 8-0 margin – against the South Africans who are leading in Pool A with seven points after a drawn game against the defending champion, Australia, in the morning.
Skipper Surinder Kaur led gallantly the charge for India against the lowly placed T & T netting four goals displaying her known sense of opportunism, dribbling skills and finish.
The front line did come up with some good moves but the tally could have, or should have, been much higher if all the chances created were seized effectively.
Quite a few penalty corners were frittered away, and some inaccurate drives went way of the mark, apart from the few interceptions by the crowded defenders.
It goes without saying that India must improve its showing notches above to overcome South Africa on Saturday.
But the player who was the cynosure of all eyes on this day was the burly Kiwi, Kate Glynn, who performed a hat-trick against England, the highest ranked team in the competition.
The 4-1 victory after conceding an early goal underlined the quality of team work, individual skills, notably from of Kate Glynn, whose dribbles and swerves were eye catching, by the squad trained by the former Aussie icon, Mark Hager.
The Kiwis have already moved into the last four with nine points while England looks secure for the second spot unless there is a further upset against Malaysia tomorrow.
Australia and South Africa played a 1-1 draw in Pool A. This tie was crucial for both. The Aussies struck first and then South Africa produced the leveller close to the finish of the first half.
The results:
Women: Pool A: Australia 1 (Emily Hurtz ) drew with South Africa 1 (Sulette Demons) HT 1-1.
India 7 (Surinder Kaur 4, Ritu Rani, Rani Ramphal, Jasjeet Kaur Handa) beat Trinidad and Tobago 0. HT 4-0
Pool B: New Zealand 4 (Samantha Harrisson, Kate Glynn 3, hat-trick) beat England 1 (Ashleigh Ball) HT 2-1.
Canada 2 (Katie Baker, Robyn Pendelton) beat Wales 1 ( Emma Batten) HT 0-1.
Saturday’s matches: Men: Pool B: New Zealand v England (8-30 a.m.); Trinidad and Tobago v Canada (3-30 p.m.); Pool A: Pakistan v Australia (12 noon); India v Scotland (8-30 p.m.);
Women: Pool B: England v Malaysia (9-30 a.m. Pitch-2); New Zealand v Canada (2-30 p.m. Pitch-2); Pool A: Australia v Scotland (1-30 p.m.); India v South Africa (6-30 p.m.)