NEW DELHI: Indian eves continued their winning run with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Poland in their third match of the qualifiers for the London Olympics, at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, here today.
The world No 13 India never looked in trouble and scored through Ritu Rani (14th minute), Rani Rampal (36th) and Poonam Rani (62nd), while Poland drew a blank. Deepika Thakur was adjudged the Player-of-the-match.
With full points from the match, Indian women now have seven points from three outings but are on top of the table as they enjoy a better goal difference than South Africa. Ukraine recorded a resounding 5-2 victory over their fancied opponents Canada in another women’s tie. Both teams started the game with only one point, earned on the opening day, Ukraine with a surprise tie with India (1-1) and Canada against Italy (2-2).
The unbeaten South Africa women’s hockey team drew 1-1 with Italy after trailing 1-0 at half-time. SA left out world record goalscorer and penalty corner drag-flicker Pietie Coetzee as a precaution, the superstar striker endeavouring to get over a cold.
In the fourth minute, leading tournament goalscorer Alessia Padalino scored from the first penalty corner to take her tally to five after three matches. Five minutes into the second half, Lauren Penny, Tarryn Bright and Kathleen Taylor combined in a slick move in the attacking third for Penny to net a well-deserved equaliser with a slap-shot from inside the six-yard box that bulged the net (1-1).
After a day’s break, both the teams took time to get off the mark but it was the home team who had the first shy at the opposition goal when in the fifth minute, Deepika shot wide from top of the D after being fed by Asuntha Lakra.