AMN/ WEB DESK
In Birmingham, Commonwealth Games 2022, Indian women’s hockey team thrash Ghana 5-0 in Pool A game.
India started aggressively with Jyoti creating an early chance from the right flanks, passing the ball to Navneet Kaur inside the circle. Navneet’s shot on target was saved by Ghana goalkeeper Boye Abigail.
However, a minute later India surged ahead’ as Gurjit Kaur scored from the first Penalty Corner of the match (1-)0)
India continued to maintain possession, keeping the pressure on Ghana defence as the first quarter came to a close.
The girls in blue continued to make circle penetrations in the early minutes of the second quarter.
Sharmila Devi and Sonika pressed deeper from the right flanks but Ghana defence was quick to avert the danger. Savita brought off a fine save when she cleared Ghana’s Elizabeth Opoku a shot on target.
Minutes later, Savita also saved a Penalty Corner as India maintained their lead. Neha extended the lead to 2-0 just at the stroke of halftime with a brilliant move from the left flanks.
India earned an early Penalty Corner in the second half but Adizatu Sulemana made a sensational save and she started a quick counter-attack. But Savita stood tall and strong on the other end and cleared away the danger.
A move created by Monika and Lalremsiami from the left flanks allowed Sangita Kumari to hit the ball into the nets and India extended their lead to 3-0. Minutes later, Gurjit Kaur converted from a penalty stroke to make it 4-0, .
India kept hold of the possession in the final quarter, ensuring to keep the ball away from Ghana players.
With only a few minutes left in the game, Ghana showcased urgency as they tried to get a goal back in the contest. Monika continued to threaten Ghana’s defence in the final quarter, creating Penalty Corner opportunities for her team.
Ghana kept India at bay until Neha created an opportunity in the final few minutes, finding Salima Tete inside the circle. Salima sent the ball home to wrap up the match 5-0.
In Badminton women’s single P.V Sindhu defeated Pakistan’s Shehzad by 21-7, 21-6.
In the single man’s event of Badminton, Kidambi Srikanth defeated Pakistan’s Murad Ali by 21-7, 21-12.
In India’s Group A tie against Pakistan in mixed doubles Badminton, the pair of B Sumeeth Reddy and Machimanda Ponappa beat pair of Muhammad Irfan Saeed Bhatti and Ghazala Siddique 21-9, 21-12.
The Indian women’s table tennis team made a winning start to its event, beating South Africa 3-0 in a straightforward game.
In boxing, Shiva Thapa won his men’s 63.5kg Round of 32 bouts against Pakistan’s Suleman Baloch.
The men’s table tennis team faces Barbados and have taken a 2-0 lead in the tie quite comfortably.
Shrihari Natraj reached to semi-final of backstroke in swimming.
In Cycling Indian team stood sixth in 4000 metre pursuit.
Taniya Choudhury had a disappointing start in the Lawn Bowls women’s singles event, as she faced a 21-10 loss to Scotland’s Dee Hoggan.
In Aquatics, Kushagra Rawat was also eliminated in the Men’s 400m Freestyle event after he finished last in Heat 3.