The Indian girls’s hockey group registered an exhilarating 6-3 victory within the 2024 FIH Hockey5s Ladies’s World Cup semi-final towards South Africa on Friday.
Akshata Abaso Dhekale (7’), Mariana Kujur (11’), Mumtaz Khan (21’), Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (23’), Jyoti Chhatri (25’), Ajima Kujur (26’) scored for India. In the meantime, Teshawn De La Rey (5’), captain Toni Marks (8’), and Dirkie Chamberlain (29’) had been on track for South Africa.
South Africa started the primary half with a disciplined defence, ready for an opportunity to threaten the Indian aim. The sport’s first likelihood fell to South Africa however Indian goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu remained vigilant in aim.
As India struggled to create probabilities, it was a close-range reverse shot from South Africa’s De La Rey that granted them the lead within the contest. Pisal appeared to revive parity quickly after however her shot sailed large of the submit.
As India appeared to equalise it was Dhekale who stepped into the final quarter of the pitch and let fly a bullet to beat South Africa’s goalie Grace Cochrane and produce India on degree phrases.
Nevertheless, the respite was short-lived as South Africa’s captain Marks picked up a go, dodged the keeper and located the again of the online to grant her group the lead once more. India remained decided to get again on degree phrases and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Mariana unleashed a rocket after chaos in entrance of the South African aim to make it 2-2.
South Africa began stronger within the second half, forcing Etimarpu into motion as soon as once more however India remained resolute in defence.
As the sport progressed, Pisal discovered herself in entrance of the South African aim, with the keeper charging, she discovered Mumtaz who handed the ball into the online to offer India the lead within the contest. Pisal continued her glorious kind as she shot previous the keeper, off a deflected go to double India’s lead.
With South Africa pushing for a aim India appeared to assault on the counter. With 5 minutes left within the sport, Chhatri took a shot on aim underneath strain which beat South Africa’s keeper Cochrane and prolonged the group’s lead.
As the sport wound in the direction of the top, it was Ajmina who took a assured shot from near the half line to make it 6-2 in India’s favour. With a minute left to play, Chamberlain capitalized on a goal-mouth melee to attain South Africa’s third aim.
India will now face the Netherlands within the ultimate on January 28 at 9.50PM IST.