India beat SA 3-1 but still crash out of medal contention

Sat, Oct 09 10 10:07 PM

Saumojyoti S Choudhury New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) India put up a lion-hearted performance to beat South Africa 3-1 in their final Pool A match here today but it was not enough to guarantee the home team a place in the semifinals as the reigning silver medalist crashed out of the womens hockey event of the Commonwealth Games on goal difference. South Africa joined Australia in the last four stage from Pool A on better goal difference. Against South Africa, India needed to win by a four goal margin to progress to the semis but in the end they could only manage a 3-1 win. With both teams tied at seven points each after their pool fixtures, South Africa edged past India into the semifinals by a lone goal difference. India will now play the third place holder from Pool B for the fifth-sixth position. Deepika Thakur (11th, 21st minute) and captain Surinder Kaur (35th) scored for India while Pietie Coetzee (45th) was the lone goal-getter for South Africa. But inspite of the result, the Indian displayed a valiant performance before a capacity crowd at the Major Dhyan Chanda Stadium. Knowing that only a four goal difference can save them from elimination, the Indian eves came out all out attacking against South Africa and pumped in as many three goals in the opening half. Interestingly, India scored the first two goals from penalty corners, which has always been a thorn in the flesh for the home team. Thakur opened the scoring for India in the 11th minute converting their first short corner from a variation. Thakurs strike seemed to have pumped the Indians as they mounted attack after attack on the South African goal. Their persistent efforts turned into results in the 21st minute when Thakur doubled the lead from Indias second penalty corner, once again with a fierce ground hit after she was served by the stopper. With a packed vociferous crowd backing them, the Indian eves raised their performance to a different level and took a 3-0 lead at the stroke of the opening half through Surinder and went into breather knowing that they need only one more goal to make it to the semis. More PTI SSC MRM

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