Breaking News: Gold Coast 2018: Hockey: Indian girls go down fighting in semis
The hosts Australia made it to the final of women's hockey defeating India by a solitary second half goal in XXI Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast on Thursday Australia will now play New Zealand for the gold medal while India will take on England in the bronze medal game.
Though India went all out in the fourth and final quarter, withdrawing goalkeeper Savita for last five minutes, it could not get past the solid defence of the hosts who kept their slate clean by not conceding even a single goal in the tournament so far.
Earlier England and New Zealand played a goalless draw in the first semifinal. Penalty shoot out saw Kiwis scoring twice against one goal by England to advance to the final.
The match winner, a field goal, came from Grace Stewart in the 38th minute.
The game played on fast pace generally witnessed Australian supremacy while Indian girls went all out to put up their best. Though Australia earned three penalty corners, Indian defence stood its ground well. Even in attack, Indian girls had fairly good share of chances, including a golden chance to equalise minutes before the final whistle when skipper Rani could not trap the ball well as her shot went wide of the target.
India did earn three penalty corners in the fourth and final quarter but Aussies were too organised in their defence to allow any penetration.
-PTC News
