Glasgow: The Indian men’s hockey team will clash with New Zealand in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games Saturday but without their captain Sardar Singh.
The midfielder has been suspended for one match following his second dangerous offence in the tournament. Sardar was reprimanded for dangerous play in Tuesday’s game against Australia and then received a yellow card against South Africa Thursday.
He was given a two-match suspension but after an appeal by India, the jury reduced the suspension to one match.
World No.6 New Zealand will be using their experience against India with seven of their players having more than 150 international caps to their name.
But India have proven to be a well balanced team with three wins in four matches with a fair combination of experience and youngsters.
World No.9 India will have to watch out for Black Sticks’ penalty corner specialist Andy Hayward. But India’s reply to Hayward, Rupinder Pal Singh has also performed consistently with five successful penalty corner conversions and two field goals, making a total of seven goals to his credit.
Back in the 1998 edition of the Games at Kuala Lumpur, India defeated New Zealand 3-1 but in 2006 Melbourne New Zealand managed to slide past India 2-1 in the 5-6 position playoff.
Though the two sides did not face each other in 2010 Delhi, India settled for the silver while New Zealand won the bronze.
“We now move into the second phase of the tournament. Unfortunately, we will play without Sardar who is under a one match suspension. New Zealand are well versed in these contests and this is our challenge,” said India chief coach Terry Walsh.
“Our team is growing game-by-game and this match will measure how far we have developed. Our scoring options are real threats and our defensive structure will need to be at its best. Our confidence and self belief will determine the outcome of this game.”
Defending champions Australia will take on England in the other semi-final.
Meanwhile, the Indian women’s hockey team defeated hosts Scotland 2-1 in the 5-6 position classification match to end fifth at the Commonwealth Games here Friday.
While the first half was a showcase of great defensive skills along with counter-attacks by India, it was only in the second half that the forwards, denting the opponent’s semicircle, finally scored and won.
Scotland managed more shots to secure two penalty corner opportunities in the initial stages of the match but failed to get past Indian goalkeeper Savita.
India’s good defence was evident as they frustrated Scotland in all their attempts at the goal in the first half. The visitors, on the other hand, were also unable to cash in on their opportunities to go into the second half with the scoreboard reading 0-0.
But India began the second half on an attacking note and earned a penalty corner opportunity in the 42nd minute. Jaspreet Kaur took the stroke but the attempt was saved by Scottish goalie Amy Gibson.
India’s efforts finally bore results when Anupama Barla sneaked in a field goal in the 53rd minute. But penalty corner specialist Nikki Kidd struck just two minutes later to level the match at 1-1.
However, Scotland’s joy was short lived as India re-took the lead back in the 57th minute when Poonam Rani put in a field goal to make it 2-1. The scoreline was retained till the end of the game.
