Sunday, May 4, 2014

Champions Challenge 1: Indian hockey eves lose to Scotland 3-4, settle for wooden spoon finish


The Indian senior women’s hockey team produced a spunky display, but it was of no avail as they went down fighting 3-4 Scotland to settle for a wooden spoon finish in the FIH Champions Challenge 1 tournament in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Blueskirts fought hard in the opening half as it ended goalless. Vikki Bunce broke the logjam for the hosts in the 44th minute before India came into their own rattling up three goals to sew up a 3-1 lead. Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz and Navnet Kaur scored for India.

With seven minutes remaining for the final hooter, India seemed to have the match in their grasp, but the Scots soon levelled the issue through two quick goals from Ailsa Wyllie and Vikki Bunce. Clement poured cold water on India’s hopes nailing the match-winner in the 68th minute.

Earlier in the league phase, India were thumped 0-4 by Scotland. It may be worth recalling that India made a bright start in the tourney waging a grim battle against Korea before losing 2-4 in their opening tie. The team hit the lows after that – losing 0-5 to Belgium.

The national hockey eves lost to USA by a solitary goal in the quarterfinal stage. Subsequently, India lost 2-4 to Belgium in the 5th-8th place play-off tie before vying with Scotland in a bid to avoid the wooden spoon.

USA won the championship beating Ireland 3-1 in the final. Earlier in the semifinals, USA humbled Spain 3-1 while Ireland ousted South Africa 2-1.

South Africa took the third spot beating Spain 1-0 to consign the latter to the fourth spot. Korea bagged the fifth spot edging Belgium 2-1 in a penalty shootout.

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