Hockey: Indian women eyeing win against Proteas for semi-final berth

The Indian women’s hockey team will be eyeing for a semi-final berth with a win over a formidable South African outfit in the Commonwealth Games here tomorrow.

With three goals each by Jaspreet Kaur, Deepika and Rani, the Indian team will be looking at continuing their onslaught to book a berth in the semi-finals.

With two wins each, both India as well as South Africa know that this will be a must win game for them and a loss from here will mean they will have to play for the play-off for the fifth and sixth position.

While South Africa will be looking at their experienced Captain Marsha Cox to guide them through, Ritu Rani will be looking at her young brigade to fire from all directions.

India can take out many positives from their last outing against Trinidad and Tobago. With the 14 goals scored, while on one hand the team’s penalty corner conversions were on the spot, the girls even showcased good co-ordination with their passes and converting field goals at important junctures during the game and which did not allow the opponents to come out of the set-back that the Indians had inflicted on them.

Speaking on the all important match, midfielder and Captain, Ritu Rani said,”Tomorrow’s match is very important for us as the result will decide our fate in this edition of the Commonwealth Games.

“The entire team understands this but we are not allowing the pressure of this all important match to overtake us. The girls aspire for a win tomorrow and the entire unit will ensure this and enter the semi-final stage,” she added.

Speaking on the match tomorrow, chief coach Neil Hawgood said,”It’s a must-win match tomorrow and the girls are all set to take on the challenge of South Africa. While they are ranked 11th and we are 13th, this will not deter the girls to go out there for the win tomorrow.

“The team has worked on their passes and penalty corner conversions and this was evident in our last outing yesterday.”