NEW DELHI: A draw isn't the best way to boost one's morale but silver medallists India had no choice but to settle for one after a diffident performance against Scotland in the opening Pool A women's hockey match on Monday.
Scotland had everything going for them in the first half in terms of ascendancy, ball possession and a lone goal but a quick resurgence after the breather saw India equalise via Jasjeet Kaur Handa.
An abortive penalty corner and scores of missed chances that the game was dotted with towards the final quarter only highlighted what India do best: the miss and rue rigmarole.
Holly Cram put Scotland ahead in the third minute with a close-range stunner that found the far corner even as goalkeeper Dipika Murthy stood clueless. Jasjeet's equaliser was equally impressive - perhaps the best move of the match - when she, put in possession by Ritu Rani, weaved past the defence before unleashing a backhander from the top of the circle.
"We were done in by a nervous start," said coach Sandeep Somesh. "We created chances in the second half but didn't score. I am disappointed with the result."
Results:
Pool A: India 1 (Jasjeet Kaur Handa 45th) drew with Scotland 1 (Holly Cram 3rd). South Africa 12 (Coetzee P 2nd, 10th, 26th, 63rd, Lesle-ann George 39th, Jennifer Wilson 42nd, 47th, Dirkie Chamberlain 43rd, 68th, 70th, Kathleen Taylor 44th, Farah Fredericks 62nd) bt T&T 0.
Pool B: Malaysia 3 (Norbaini Hashim 18th, 56th, Norfaraha Hashim 49th pc) bt Canada 2 ( Diana Roemer 56th, Anna Kozniuk 59th).
TOI
Scotland had everything going for them in the first half in terms of ascendancy, ball possession and a lone goal but a quick resurgence after the breather saw India equalise via Jasjeet Kaur Handa.
An abortive penalty corner and scores of missed chances that the game was dotted with towards the final quarter only highlighted what India do best: the miss and rue rigmarole.
Holly Cram put Scotland ahead in the third minute with a close-range stunner that found the far corner even as goalkeeper Dipika Murthy stood clueless. Jasjeet's equaliser was equally impressive - perhaps the best move of the match - when she, put in possession by Ritu Rani, weaved past the defence before unleashing a backhander from the top of the circle.
"We were done in by a nervous start," said coach Sandeep Somesh. "We created chances in the second half but didn't score. I am disappointed with the result."
Results:
Pool A: India 1 (Jasjeet Kaur Handa 45th) drew with Scotland 1 (Holly Cram 3rd). South Africa 12 (Coetzee P 2nd, 10th, 26th, 63rd, Lesle-ann George 39th, Jennifer Wilson 42nd, 47th, Dirkie Chamberlain 43rd, 68th, 70th, Kathleen Taylor 44th, Farah Fredericks 62nd) bt T&T 0.
Pool B: Malaysia 3 (Norbaini Hashim 18th, 56th, Norfaraha Hashim 49th pc) bt Canada 2 ( Diana Roemer 56th, Anna Kozniuk 59th).
TOI
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