HWL R2 Final: Some suspense in the offing as Poland pose challenge to India

The upset victory of Poland over Malaysia has all of a sudden injected an element of suspense in the today’s final in what can otherwise be categorized as a dull Hockey World League Round 2 proceedings in New Delhi so far.

Paulina Okaj of Poland converted a third-minute penalty corner against Malaysia in the first semifinal and then showed better game to remain control of the proceedings to enter the Sunady final to lock horns with smooth sailing India.

Malaysia was expected to put up a fight and was tipped to be a favourite for the final, but that did not happen. Clueless and monotonous, Malaysia failed to come out of the early set back, which led them to settle for third place fight.

On the other hand, India was constructive and purposeful in its semifinal encounter against vastly improved Thailand in the second semifinal.

Its constructed moves, kept poise and patience inside circle, worked on moves rather than relying on individual brilliance.

After taking formidable 3-0 lead at half time, India kept the ball possession, indulged in set pieces to see off Thailand with a comfortable 5-0 win.

Jaspreet Kaur converted the day’s only stroke in the 11th minute while 5 minutes later agile and alert Vandana Kataria increased the lead, bouncing on to a penalty corner rebound.

India did not show any great degree of precision in the vital area of penalty corners, converting just two out of nearly ten.

Poonam Rani’s turn it was in the 22nd minute to enter her name on the scoreboard with a immaculate deflection of parallel pass into the net for team’s third goal.

After lemon break, Rani Ramphal from right backline sent the ball in with an acute cross shot and then 13 minutes later right winger Amandeep Kaur added another off team’s 9th penalty corner.

India and Poland, by virtue of being the finalists, have qualified for the Semifinal League to be held in Belgium in June.