Commonwealth Games: Indian women’s hockey squad begins their campaign with a 5-0 victory over Ghana
The Indian women’s hockey squad opened their Commonwealth Games campaign with an impressive 5-0 victory against Ghana at the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on July 29
Image credit: wikimedia.com Indian Hockey teamWithin the regulation time, Gurjit Kaur in the 3rd and 39th minutes, Neha in the 28th minute, Sangita Kumari in the 36th minute and Salima Tete in the 56th minute were the goalscorers for India. At the same time, none of the Ghana players could score.
India started the opening quarter aggressively, with Jyoti making a run on the right flank before sending the ball into the Ghanian circle to Navneet Kaur. However, her shot was stopped by Ghana goalkeeper Boye Abigail.
India earned a penalty corner in the 3rd minute. Gurjit Kaur fired the ball into the net to give India a 1-0 lead. The Indian side kept control of the possession and built attacking pressure as the first quarter ended.
The Indian attackers kept penetrating the Ghanian circle. At the same time, Sharmila Devi and Sonika made runs on the right flank in the early minutes of the second quarter but failed to widen the lead.
Ghana launched a counterattack, but the Indian goalkeeper Savita acted at the right moment to stop a shot by Elizabeth Opoku. India soon regained control as Neha slotted the ball into the Ghanian net in the 28th minute to double the lead for India. The first half ended with a 2-0 lead for India.
The second half started with an early penalty corner for India. Adizatu Sulemana made an excellent save, after which Ghana launched an immediate counterattack but failed to break past Savita.
Monika and Lalremsiami took the ball towards the Ghanian side before sending a pass to Sangita Kumari, who quickly fired it into the net to make it 3-0. Gurjit Kaur further increased the lead for India with an excellent penalty corner stroke in the 39th minute of the match.
Ghana worked hard to take control of the ball from India in the final quarter, but the Indian side maintained firm control. Salima Tete secured the victory for India with a final goal in the ending moments of the match to make it 5-0 after receiving a pass from Neha.
India will next lock horns with Wales in their second Pool A match of the Commonwealth Games on July 30.