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India brighten Olympic hopes

Hockey World League : Rani goal fetches vital win and fifth spot for women's team
Last Updated 04 July 2015, 19:55 IST

Custodian Savita emerged the saviour by blocking half-a-dozen goal-bearing chances as India enhanced their Olympic qualification chances with a 1-0 victory over Japan in the fifth-place play-off match of the Hockey World League Semifinals, here on Saturday.

The match-winner for India came in the 13th minute from Rani Rampal, who capitalised on a rebound after the Japanese goalkeeper had blocked a hit from Vandana Katariya.

The star of the day for India was Savita, who firmly stood between repeated Japanese raids and the Indian goal, often diving to either side to block firm hits. In the last quarter itself, Japan forced five penalty corners and laid a seige on the Indian goal but could not beat Savita.

The win means the Indian women have a bright chance to compete in their first Olympic Games in 36 years. Their lone Olympic appearance was at Moscow in 1980. Effectively, India’s fifth spot here should secure them an Olympic Games ticket when the spots are finalised.

Three berths each are on offer at both the World League Semifinal competitions, here at Antwerp and in the just-concluded event at Valencia. With five continental event champions being allowed another route, there are likely to be several dual qualifications. In turn, that can open up Olympic spots for nations which do not make the top four of the two World League Semifinals.

Dutch champs

The Netherlands emerged champions after scoring a 2-1 win over Korea. Player of the Tournament Lidewij Welten set up the winner for 2014 FIH Player of the Year Ellen Hoog, who smashed home in the 58th minute to give the Netherlands a hard earned win over the resilient and defensively brilliant Koreans.

Kim Bomi had given the Koreans the lead in the 34th minute before Caia van Maasakker equalised for the Dutch in the 44th minute.

Australia emerged victorious in the Oceania derby match, defeating New Zealand 4-2 to secure the bronze medal.

Men play Britain

Laid low after suffering a 0-4 thrashing at the hands of Belgium, Indian men face a tough task in their bid to finish on the podium when they take on a tenacious Great Britain in the bronze medal match of the men’s event.

India, who are four places below world number five Great Britain in FIH rankings, will need to produce a much improved show than what they produced in their semifinal loss to Belgium.

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(Published 04 July 2015, 19:55 IST)

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