Will face hosts China for a berth in summit clash
The Indian women's hockey team finished their Pool A engagements with a glut of goals against Hong Kong on Tuesday. With their resounding 13-0 win, India topped the pool and vaulted into the semifinals where they run into hosts China.
The contest turned out to be a dress rehearsal ahead of the tougher challenges as India aim for a gold medal which would guarantee them a ticket to the Paris Olympics.
Vandana Katariya and Deepika led India's goal rush, sounding the boards three times each. India went ahead in the second minute with Vandana finding the mark off a pass from Navneet Kaur. India quickly doubled the lead with Vandana assisting Deepika inside the circle to score.
Although the score line is convincing, India will have to pull themselves together in terms of penalty corners. They wasted two consecutive opportunities in the third and fourth minutes. In all, they earned 16 penalty corners and managed to convert six against a team with a rather feeble defence.
That said, India experimented with variations with Monika and Sangita Kumari working the flanks well. The relentless attacks resulted in India finishing the opening quarter with a 6-0 lead. India marginally slowed down in the second quarter but came back with renewed intensity and made light work of the opposition in the final quarter.
India will play their last-four contest on Thursday. Men set for Korea test Indian men will have their task cut out when they take on a plucky South Korea in the semifinal on Wednesday. While India topped Pool A with an unbeaten record, Korea had one blip, a shock 2-3 loss to China.
Ranked no. 12 in the world, and third among Asian teams behind India and Malaysia, defence is Korea's USP and among their strengths is their never-say-die attitude.
