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Preview: India women’s hockey team take on Wales in their second Pool A match of the women’s hockey competition at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 on Saturday. Following a 5-0 win over Ghana in their opener, victory against Wales would further get them closer to the semi-finals, with the top two from the pool advancing to the last four stage. Gurjit Kaur (3’, 39’) scored a brace in the match while Neha (28’), Sangita Kumari (36’), and Salima Tete (56’) also scored a goal each in the Pool A contest against Ghana to help their team pick up the all-important win. India started the match on the front foot with Jyoti creating an early chance from the right flanks, passing the ball to Navneet Kaur inside the circle. Navneet’s shot on target was saved by Ghana goalkeeper Boye Abigail. But India’s wait to get on the scoreboard was short-lived as Gurjit Kaur scored a minute later from the first Penalty Corner of the match, helping India to a 1-0 lead. India continued to maintain possession, keeping the pressure on Ghana’s defence as the first quarter came to a close. India continued to make circle penetrations in the early minutes of the second quarter. Sharmila Devi and Sonika pressed deeper from the right flanks but Ghana’s defence was quick to avert the danger. Savita rose to India’s rescue when Ghana’s Elizabeth Opoku took a shot on target. Minutes later, Savita also saved a Penalty Corner as India maintained their lead. Neha extended India’s lead to 2-0 just at the stroke of halftime with a brilliant move from the left flanks. India earned an early Penalty Corner in the second half but Ghana’s Adizatu Sulemana made a sensational save to deny India and she started a quick counter-attack. But Savita stood tall and strong on the other end and cleared away the danger. A move created by Monika and Lalremsiami from the left flanks allowed Sangita Kumari to hit the ball into the nets and India extended their lead to 3-0. Minutes later, Gurjit Kaur converted from a penalty stroke as India took their lead to 4-0, taking complete control of the match before the final quarter. With a 4-0 lead, India kept hold of the possession in the final quarter, ensuring to keep the ball away from Ghana players. With only a few minutes left in the game, Ghana showcased urgency as they tried to get a goal back in the contest. Monika continued to threaten Ghana’s defence in the final quarter, creating Penalty Corner opportunities for her team. But Ghana kept India at bay until Neha created an opportunity in the final few minutes, finding Salima Tete inside the circle. Salima struck the ball towards the net to extend India’s lead to 5-0. With inputs from ANI
India vs Wales Commonwealth Games Highlights: Vandana stars as India women's hockey team wins 3-1
India vs Wales Live, Commonwealth Games: Follow for live score and updates in hockey from 2022 CWG
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Full Time: India 3-1 Wales
A brace from Vandana and a penalty corner goal from Gurjit Kaur helps India win their second game on the trot to go top of Pool A. For the time being at least as England and Canada are yet to play their second games.
Live Score: India 3-1 Wales (Q4)
Less than three minutes to go and India look in control of the situation now. They hold the ball possession and look more confident with their coordination.
Live Score: India 3-1 Wales (Q4)
Less than seven minutes to go and Wales are trying to patiently build from the back but are being thwarted exactly how they did in the first quarter to India. Indians are overloading their defensive third as per ball movement.
GOAL! Live Score: India 3-1 Wales (Q4)
Vandana puts her poaching skills to good use again as she slildes it in from close to the goal again! That certainly takes the pressure away from the entire team as the two-goal cushion is restored!
Live Score: India 2-1 Wales (Q4)
Saved! Roseanne continues to frustrate India as she lies down on the ground anticipating a ground shot from Deep Grace Ekka!
Live Score: India 2-1 Wales (Q4)
Final quarter gets underway and India win a penalty corner almost instantly.
Live Score: India 2-1 Wales (Q3)
The goal stands as no dangerous play from Wales. Q3 ends with no further action.
GOAL! Live Score: India 2-1 Wales (Q3)
Xenna Hughes pulls one back for Wales and they are back in the game right at the end of the third quarter. But wait India has video review the goal.
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
Loud cheer from the crowd as Wales win a late and rare penalty corner, can they make something out of it?
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
Less than two minutes to go and Monica snaps a shot at goalkeeper, Roseanne denies once again! Must say, India would have been leading 4-0 at least if not for the Wales shot-stopper
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
Close! Navneet Kaur caught a Wales defender off guard right inside the D and found herself alone in front of the goalkeeper but hits it too high up the target.
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
That’s a shot on target by Deep Grace Ekka! Gurjit sets her up from the penalty corner but goalkeeper Roseanne kicks the ball away. Wales are living dangerously at the moment.
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
Nice build up from the right flank again that sees Monika force a save out of Welsh goalkeeper. India also earn a penalty corner soon after.
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
While India are more relaxed with their approach, it’s certainly not what’s adviced as England made a mockery of Ghana earlier in the day with a 12-0 win. And goal difference does have a role to play if the top-two spots are not decided by points and number of wins.
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
India are happy to sit back in numbers now and allow Wales to attack in numbers but the European side is lacking the firepower to hurt the World No. 9
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
Vandana almost makes it 3-0 after a weaving run by Salima Tete down the left flank. If more of that continues, we are in for another goalfest!
Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q3)
The third quarter gets underway as India now attack from right to left.
After a worrying first quarter, India finally broke the deadlock through a penalty corner as Gurjit Kaur set up Vandana for the goal. Minutes later, Gurjit scored herself from the very next penalty corner to double India’s lead. It will be a tough ask for defense-loving Wales to change their gears and attack from the beginning in the third quarter, leaving India more space to exploit.
GOAL! Live Score: India 2-0 Wales (Q2)
Gurjit Kaur doubles India’s lead from another penalty corner!
GOAL! Live Score: India 1-0 Wales (Q2)
The resulting penalty corner was tucked right in by Vandana as she guided Gurjit’s penalty corner shot into the goal
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q2)
So close! Vandana standing right in front of goal has a chance to poke the ball in but Wales goalkeeper Roseanne Thomas was alert. But wait! India have won a penalty corner.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q2)
So far India have four shots on target with Vandana, Lalremsiami, Deep and Monika with an attempt each.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q2)
India’s star midfielder Lalremsiami ist s having an off day so far as her telling passes are missing from the game. She made efforts to combine with Jyoti on the right flank but resulted in nothing. Must say Wales have done their defensive homework well.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q2)
Early intensity into the second quarter has died down again as Indians are struggling to create from either flanks
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q2)
Wasted! Deep Grace Ekka fails to convert the penalty corner as her shot hits a Wales defender and goes out of play. Deep’s PC conversion has been an issue since the World Cup.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q2)
India wins a penalty corner! Their first of the game as Vandana’s shot hit a Welsh defender’s leg.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q2)
Second quarter starts and India get inside the Wales ‘D’ instantly. Indians have taken position inside the attacking third in numbers but are still struggling to create.
Q1 ends with no goals!
India dominated the game with more chances but Wales have been water-tight with their defence. But there’s no reason for India to lose heart as chances will come sooner or later, the question is will the likes of Sharmila, Gurjit Kaur and Vandana Kataria make those chances count.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q1)
India are more purposeful with their attacks now as they penetrated Welsh D thrice in a few minutes but the inability to hold possession and find that key pass in hurting them. Wales are pretty pleased with the way they are defending individually and as a team. Not to scare you, they are growing in confidence in the attack as well.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q1)
Sharmila runs through the field as Wales are caught on the counter but lack of support and quick recovery from Welsh defenders kills the attack before it turns dangerous. Coach Schopman won’t be happy with that.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q1)
Eight minutes into the quarter and India enter Wales ‘D’ for the first time but Sharmila fails to find that key pass inside a crowded box.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q1)
With five minutes gone, first quarter has been a cagey affair as Indian eves are struggling to find momentum in their build-up. Wales, on the other hand, are happy to sit back and defence.
Live Score: India 0-0 Wales (Q1)
And it’s kick-off! India attack from left to right in white jersey against Wales in red and are dominating the early proceedings.
India’s starting line-up for the game is out already as coach Janneke Schopman has named a strong XI for the game