Following Sunday's spectacular opening ceremony, which marked the beginning of 11 days of top class sport, the first day of hockey action at the 2010 Commonwealth Games has been completed.
The opening ceremony was a hugely impressive display of dance, culture and fireworks, showing that India is determined to put on a Games that will live long in the memory.
The hockey tournament - being played at the Major Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium - began on Monday, with four matches from the women's section of the tournament taking place. The Black Sticks confirmed their superior standing in the ABN AMRO World Rankings by recording a 5-1 victory over Wales in the opening match of the day. Katie GLYNN opened the scoring with a penalty corner strike before Wales hit back in the same fashion through Abigail WELSFORD just before half time. New Zealand scored four times without reply to seal the victory, with Gemma FLYNN, Anna THORPE (2) and Clarissa ESHUIS all finding the target to ensure The Black Sticks got their Group B campaign off to the perfect start.
Revitalised South Africa made their medal intentions clear with a crushing 12-0 triumph over Trinidad & Tobago in Group A. The recently recalled Pietie COETZEE wasted no time in making her mark on the competition, opening the scoring with a second minute penalty corner before completing a first half hat-trick with goals in the 10th (PC) and 26th (FG) minutes to give her side a 3-0 half time lead. The floodgates well and truly opened in the second half, with strikes coming from Lesley-Ann GEORGE, Jen WILSON (2), Dierkie CHAMBERLAIN (3), Kathleen TAYLOR, Farah FREDERICKS as well as a fourth goal for COETZEE.
The afternoon session began with Malaysia grabbing a 3-2 win over Canada to join New Zealand at the top of Group B. Malaysia took the lead in the 18th minute when Norbaini HASHIM slammed in a field goal. It proved to be the only goal of the half, but a penalty corner from Norfaraha HASHIM doubled the advantage 14 minutes after the break. The win was virtually guaranteed by Norbaini HASHIM’s second field goal of the match, although goals from Diana ROEMER (PS 56m) and Anna KOZNIUK (FG 59m) resulted in an exciting finish to the match.
The final game of the day was enjoyed by the biggest crowd, with host nation India avoiding defeat with a 1-1 draw against Scotland. The home supporters had to endure an early blow when India fell behind thanks to a third minute field goal from Scotland number 11 Holly CRAM, but a second half strike from their own number 11 Jasjeet Kaur HANDA made sure that the points would be shared.
The Major Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium will witness eight matches on Tuesday, with action taking place in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. To see the full schedule, please click here.
All official tournament information including match sheets, starting line-ups, tables and scorers can be found on the Commonwealth Games Results Website by clicking here.
