DELHI, Oct 9: Saturday’s morning session at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Saturday saw England emerge as the leader in the men’s Pool B, and Australia notch up another win in Pool A, while on Pitch 2, England won through to the women’s semi-finals.
The afternoon session saw New Zealand finish the preliminaries undefeated in the Women’s Pool B, the Hockeyroos qualify for the semi-finals in Pool A, and Canada record its first win of the Games in the men’s Pool B.
With India's men and women playing in the evening session, there was a great atmosphere at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. India’s women recorded a fantastic victory over South Africa, but just missed out on a place in the Semi Finals on goal difference. However, India’s men kept alive their chances of a Semi Final place with a solid victory over Scotland. More information about these matches can be found below.
Morning Session: England winners in men's and women's
Saturday’s morning session at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Saturday saw England emerge as the leader in the men’s Pool B, and Australia notch up another win in Pool A, while on Pitch 2, England won through to the women’s semi-finals.
Men’s Pool B: New Zealand 3–5 England
England set the pace in this match, with James TINDALL (ENG) slamming in a field goal in the seventh minute. The lead was short-lived, with Phil BURROWS (NZL) equalising in the ninth minute.
TINDALL (ENG) added to his tally, before Richard MANTELL (ENG) converted a penalty corner for a 3-1 lead. A 34th minute penalty corner goal to Hayden SHAW (NZL) kept the Black Sticks in the game, trailing 3-2 at the break.
The goals continued in the second-half, and Rob MOORE (ENG) extended his side’s lead to 4-2. SHAW (NZL) notched one back in the 53rd minute, but TINDALL (ENG) scored his third in the 65th minute, for a 5-3 win.
Women’s Pool B: England 3-0 Malaysia
Malaysia did well to hold England in the first-half. Nicola WHITE (ENG) went close to scoring when she put the ball wide just minutes before the break. So when she found herself free in the 33rd minute, she made no mistake, and slotted the ball home for a 1-0 lead.
England controlled the tempo in the second-half, and Alex DANSON (ENG) added her name to the score-sheet. Georgie TWIGG’s (ENG) penalty corner goal sealed the victory at 3-0.
Men’s Pool A: Australia 1–0 Pakistan
World Champion Australia failed to find its rhythm against the Pakistan side, but the favourites managed to hold on to a 1-0 lead to win the game. The penalty corner conversion, which came in the 33rd minute to Chris CIRIELLO (AUS) gave the Aussies the lead at half-time, and with neither team able to find the net in the second-half, it was enough for Australia to take the three points.
Afternoon Session: Hockeyroos through to semifinals
The afternoon session at the Major Dhyan Chand National stadium on Saturday saw New Zealand finish the preliminaries undefeated in the Women’s Pool B, the Hockeyroos qualify for the semi-finals in Pool A, and Canada record its first win of the Games in the men’s Pool B.
Women’s Pool A: Australia 5 - 2 Scotland
Australia came out firing - Kate HOLLYWOOD (AUS) found the net within three minutes to give her team a 1-0 lead. In the 12th minute Megan RIVERS was also left unattended, and she extended the advantage to 2-0. Jessica Nicole ARROLD (AUS) was the unintended recipient of the ball on a penalty corner, but she slotted it away before half-time for a 3-0 buffer.
In the second-half Ashleigh NELSON (AUS) scored for a 4-0 advantage before Scotland made a mini-comeback. Samantha JUDGE (SCO) and Ailsa ROBERTSON (SCO) reduced the damage to 4-2 when they each hit the net. ARROLD added her second penalty corner in the 56th minute, for a 5-2 win to the Hockeyroos.
Women’s Pool B: New Zealand 3-1 Canada
A flurry of goals in the second-half saw New Zealand outplay Canada, and win 3-1 on Pitch 2. Canada was defensively sound in the opening half, and the sides went to the break at 0-0.
Moments after the second-half began Krystal FORGESSON (NZL) cracked the ball into the net for a 1-0 advantage. Five minutes later Canada were on the board - a great team goal saw Katie BAKER (CAN) and Stephanie NESBITT (CAN) both involved before Robyn PENDLETON (CAN) tapped it in for 1-1.
But New Zealand then turned up the heat and Stacey MICHELSEN (NZL) made it 2-1, before a 69th minute stroke conversion to Clarissa ESHUIS (NZL) made it 3-1.
Men’s Pool B: Trinidad and Tobago 0-2 Canada
Two first-half goals to Scott TUPPER (CAN) were enough for Canada to secure three points against Trinidad and Tobago. TUPPER (CAN) slotted away a penalty stroke in the 10th minute and a penalty corner in the 27th minute. Trinidad and Tobago are winless after four games and will play for ninth or tenth position in the men’s hockey on Tuesday.
Evening session: India's hockey women lose out on goal difference
Women's Pool A: South Africa 1-3 India
A pair of penalty-corner conversions from Deepika THAKUR (IND) and a field goal from captain Surinder KAUR (IND) gave India a 3-0 lead at half-time. Needing to win by four goals to qualify for the semifinals, the Indians played with purpose and put in their best performance of the tournament.
But a penalty-goal conversion by Pietie COETZEE (RSA) in the 45th minute - her 200th international strike - killed off the home side's hopes of progressing to the last four. Both teams finished on seven points but with a superior goal differential South Africa will face New Zealand in Monday's semifinal while India line up against Canada in the 5-6 classification match.
Men's Pool B: Scotland 0-4 India
India crushed Scotland to move closer to a semifinal berth with a total of six points. The Indians got off to a flying start with Saravanjit SINGH and Dharamvir SINGH netting in quick succession. Dhananjay MAHADIK (IND) hit No.3 before SINGH struck her second to wrap up the victory.
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.
Source: Commonwealth Games News Service
