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India struggle but top league table
On the concluding day of the Hockey World League Round II, India girls scored a solitary-goal win over Russia to top the league table, while the men got the better of Bangladesh 5-1, to remain unbeaten.
On the concluding day of the Hockey World League Round II, India girls scored a solitary-goal win over Russia to top the league table, while the men got the better of Bangladesh 5-1, to remain unbeaten.
Being the leaders of Round II, India also got a passage to Round III of the competition, which is scheduled in June.
Apart from the hosts, Ireland and Japan, placed second in the men's and women's groups respectively, also advanced. By winning a berth in Round III, the India team management would be patting itself, but the real test lies ahead when India play stronger teams in the next stage.
In fact, in the last league match at the National Stadium, goalkeeping was an area of concern as India conceded a goal via a penalty corner to allow Bangladesh surge ahead. India bounced back to win, but like the previous match against Ireland, keeper PR Sreejesh was far from impressive.
The India girls too struggled on Sunday. After a barren first half, Rani Rampal sounded the board in the 51st minute to save the day for the home team. Jaspreet Kaur and Sardar Singh were declared players of the tournament.
