India routs Hong Kong

DOHA: India recorded a 7-0 win over Hong Kong in the women's hockey competition, in spite of frittering away a plethora of chances especially in the first half. This was India's third win in four matches. The tally now is nine.
Hong Kong's goalkeeper Ho Yi Shan brought off some splendid saves to deny the Indians more goals. The Indians forced 11 penalty corners with eight of them in the first half.
It was not until Surinder Kaur converted a penalty stroke after about 20 minutes did the Indians settle to a scoring rhythm. The star was Surinder Kaur, who scored four goals.
The attack lacked the fizz to demolish the fragile opposition. There were instances of over elaboration compounded by inaccuracy causing frustration. True, the attack held all the aces but left one wondering why the conversion rate was inadequate compared to China and Korea.
Gallant role
A tribute is due to skipper Jyothi Kullu, who sustained a head injury against Malaysia. She played a gallant role with her head swathed in bandage. She scored a brilliant goal, a charming deflection off a push from Suman Bala in a penalty corner. Late in the match, she struck another. The fifth goal of the match from Jasjit Handa was a beauty, a withering shot from the top of the circle crashing into the boards.
Coach Kaushik was candid enough to admit the fact "the girls did not play well at all. There were too many missed chances. We cannot afford to miss that many easy goals " he said.
A podium finish is within the realm of possibility if the team puts up a decent show against Korea and Japan in the next few days.
Severe blow
China's image as the defending champion suffered a severe blow when Japan slammed in three goals in the first half to take full points. The outcome only reasserted the growing stature of Japan, which finished fifth in the last World Cup at Madrid two months ago.
Commendable was the consistency and coordination in Japan's frontline workouts led by Kaori Chiba. That all the three were field goals went to show the fluency of the attack orchestrated well by Tomimo Komori. Along with Chiba and Morimoto, the quick moving Komori played havoc with the Chinese defence.
The strategy of rendering the dangerous Chinese striker Fo Barong innocuous in the defence zone succeeded. Japan is the only unbeaten team that leads the table with 10 points.
In a fierce contest, in which the key element was speed, the defending champion South Korea, showed why it is the Asian powerhouse by defeating China 3-0 in a Pool `B' men's hockey competition.
Korea called the shots from the push off, setting up a torrid pace which the Chinese struggled to match. The goal was under fire more than once but eventually it fell when Yeo Woon Kon capped a fine move. Served commendably from the mid-field by Yong Bae, the Korean attack was led by Hyo Sik, weaving patterns around the tiring Chinese defence. Close on half-time, Jang Hyun pumped in a penalty corner to widen the lead that was enlarged further in the second half by Jong Ho.
Korea has nine points with a match remaining against India while China has finished its programme with the same number of points.
The results:
Women: India 7 (Surinder Kaur 4, Jyothi Kullu 2, Jasjeet Handa) bt Kong Kong 0; Japan 3 (Rika Komazowa, Saeke Morimoto, Tomomi Komori) bt China 0; Malaysia 2 (Nadia, Nor Amarina) bt Chinese Taipei 0.
Men: Pool B: South Korea 3 (Yeo Woon Koon, Jang Hyun, Jong Ho) bt China 0.
Saturday's matches: Men: Pool `A': Japan v Hong Kong (11.30 a.m.); Pakistan v Chinese Taipei (1.30 p.m.); Women: Chiese Taipei v China (4.30 p.m.); Japan v India (6.30 p.m.); Korea v Malaysia (8.30 p.m.).

Source : Hindu