HWL R2 QF2: A lowly ranked Thailand defeated fighting Kazakstan 4-3 in a nail biting quarterfinal to enter their dream semfinal of the HWL R2 in Delhi.

The second quarterfinal was competitive compared to dull first quarters between Malaysia and distant Ghana.

Kazak almost scored in the 8th minute but Thailand’s goalie Jesdapon Tongsun twice stopped the shots of Olga Khonina. In the next minute, Thailand got a penalty corner, first in the match in a fast counter attack. The executioner’s ball just hit the goalie, but the rebound was tapped in by Thai girl boonta Duangurai s to post the first lead.

Fitter Kazak waged many forays then on but the Thai defence stood ground
In the 17th min, Vera of Kazak again came close to scoring, but defender Supansa Samano cleared the danger with a strong reverse.

Thais, however could not be contained for long. Six minutes in to the second quarter, a midfield attack led to a melee of which Thai took the second lead through Kanyanut Nakpolkrung (2-0).

Then came a flurry of attacks from the Kazaks which saw both the leads neutralized.

Goalie of Thailand was poor in clearances, and this was utilized by the Kazaks in two successive penalty corners they obtained in the space of three minutes between 22nd and 24th minutes. First, after captain Natalya Gatualina unleased a shot, goalie came forward to block it but waiting Natalya Sazontova bounced on to second rebound to send the ball to the right of already flat-fallen goalie.

Vera Domashneva connected a rebound of her own shot in the next penalty corner to end the Thai’s second lead too (2-2.)

Once in the 40th and 46th minutes Thailand struck through ultimate Player of the Match Sakunpithak and Sirikwan Wongkeaw, taking the scoreline to 4-2, it seemed the semifinal slot is their, but Kazak came again with threatening moves, and was unlucky not to even out. It wasted at least six penalty corners in the last quarter.

In between in the 50th minute Kazhak girls reduced the margin (3-4) through Irina Dobrioglo, and then came close to scoring many times, but Thais stood strong to upset Kazak and enter a dream semis under the Korean coach Yong Wook Bae.