JOIN USThe Indian football team survived be the skin of their teeth, edging past a gritty Maldives 3-2 to seal their semifinal spot at the 12th South Asian Games here on Wednesday.
Needing nothing less than a victory to stay alive in the competition following their 1-0 reversal against Sri Lanka in the opening group match, the Indians seemed headed towards the exit door when Maldives equalised twice. But Udanta Singh slotted home an opportunistic winner in the 59th minute to secure India’s last-four spot.
Udanta handed India the lead with a fourth minute goal before Maldives equalised five minutes later. Pritam Kotal made it 2-1 in India’s favour but Maldives ensured the Indians broke into halftime a nervous lot with a goal in the 42nd minute. Udanta though calmed the hosts’ nerves with a fine winner.
Triple treat
Indians swept home in the tennis competition, capturing three gold medals and ensuring two more come their way on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Ankita Raina blanked compatriot Prerna Bhambri 6-1, 6-0 to clinch the women’s singles gold. Ramkumar Ramanathan and Prashanth Vijay S beat Divij Sharan and Sanam Singh to win the men’s doubles title.
Divij teamed up with Ankita to claim the mixed doubles gold, beating Sanam and Prarthana Thombre 6-2, 7-6.
India have it easy
The Indian men’s handball team launched their campaign on a victorious note, beating Sri Lanka 48-16.