Gold Coast 2018: Indian women record an upset win over England in Commonwealth Games Hockey
Gold Coast 2018: Indian women record an upset win over England in Commonwealth Games Hockey: Indian girls were in their elements as they nosed out a tough challenge of England to record their second win in three matches in XXIst Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast on Sunday. Indian girls won 2-1 on a day when 16-year-old shooter Manu Bhaker, weightlifter Poonam Yadav won gold medals while Heena Sidhu added a silver to fast swelling medal tally of India. Though Manu Bhakr has become the youngest Indian sportsperson to win a gold medal in Commonwealth Games, her country mates have been doing extremely well in the Games as Mary Kim made it to semi-finals in Boxing and Saina Nehwal led into badminton combined team final. In men's section, two bronze medals came India's way - one each in shooting and weightlifting. While Ravi Kumar did it in shooting Vikas Thakur of Ludhiana finished third in 94 kg weightlifting. Shooting and weightlifting continue to be main contributors to fast swelling Indian medal tally. After defeating Malaysia 4-1, Indian girls overcame first minute lead conceded to more fancied England, to earn full three points with a convincing 2-1 win. It was Navneet Kaur (field goal) and Gurjit Kaur (penalty stroke) that not only neutralised the first minute goal by England captain Alexandra Dawson but also warmed the cockles of hearts of hockey fans back home. For a change, Indian girls played like a well oiled machine working out good moves besides defending their fort well. Though India could not convert penalty corners, young Gurjit had the consolation of converting a stroke that was awarded following stick check of skipper Rani from a goal scoring position. With two wins from three games, Indian girls wee well in run for a semi-final berth from their pool. In another game in women's section, New Zealand and Canada played a goalless draw. Pakistan plays its third successive drawn game England and Pakistan played a 2-2 draw in men's section. For Pakistan, it was third successive drawn game as their games against Wales and India had ended without a clear verdict. With three drawn games, their chances of advancing to semi-finals are slimming down. It was Mohammed Arslan who gave Pakistan lead in the 33rd minute and a minute later Mark Greghorne brought the teams at par with a brilliant goal. It was Sam Ward who scored from a penalty corner in the 51st minute to put England ahead. Like yesterday, Pakistan came back strongly in the dying moment of the game to restore parity with a penalty corner conversion by Ali Mubashar in the 57th minute. —PTC News
