Tokyo Olympics: India’s women hockey team defeats South Africa in a tense battle, await the result between Great Britain and Ireland

Tokyo Olympics: India’s women hockey team defeats South Africa in a tense battle, await the result between Great Britain and Ireland

Indian women's hockey team

India’s women hockey team registered their second consecutive win at Tokyo Olympics, as they defeated South Africa by a score line of 4-3. It was a tense battle between the two sides, as the onus was on India to claim a victory.

With the win, India move to six points in their five games in Group A. They suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain in their opening round matches. In order to ensure qualification for the next round, Great Britain must not lose to Ireland, as they have a superior goal difference as compared to India.

India women edge out the South Africans in a thriller

Indian women's hockey team
Indian women’s hockey team

Both teams were even at the start of the fourth quarter, as the score read 3-3. India had conceded their advantage thrice, as they chased a victory to ensure qualification into the next round. However, Vandana Katariya’s heroics came to floor on Saturday, as she scored a precious hattrick to help India have a chance of going through to the quarterfinals.

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India scored the winner in the 49th minute, when only 11 minutes remained on the clock. Neha N was the other scorer for India, as she put the ball in the back of the net in the 32nd minute. Vandana opened the scoring early with a goal in the 4th minute, as South Africa cancelled out the lead in the 15th minute.

India scored again in the 16th minute, as Vandana scored her second goal. South Africa hit back with a goal in the 30th minute. In the end, Vanada’s winner proved to be the differentiating factor, as India clung on to their slender lead.

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