Indians play out disappointing draw against South Africa

Melbourne, Mar 18 (UNI) Despite dominating the proceedings throughout, defending champions India needed a last gasp goal by Subhadra Pradhan to clinch a 2-2 draw against South Africa in their second league match of the women hockey competition in the Commonwealth games here today.

Pradhan's brace(30th and 70th) helped India salvage the draw after Kate Hector(6th) and Heriette Du Buisson(12th) scored for South Africa.

India split points in a match which they should have won by atleast five goals. They frittered away sixteen scoring chances, five of them being sitters.

Poor finishing in the striking circle deprived them of a clear win today and the defending champions have only themselves to blame for the result after they muffed several easy scoring chances.

Indians should thank their luck that they managed an equaliser just before the final whistle otherwise they would have been out of the medal contention.

The draw kept their hopes alive for a podium finish but a win in this match would have made their task easier.

India have one point in two matches after losing to Australia in the opening game and will need big victories against Malaysia and Nigeria in the next two matches to stay in contention.

India can offer no excuse for dropping two points in a game where they were far superior to their rivals but then it does not matter how good you play unless you score.

Too much space was left for the South Africans to operate. The midfielders Sumrai Tete, Subadhra Pradhan and Asunta Lakra did well to cover up but the forwards were not cohesive.

Mamta Kharab made few solo efforts but could not get past the South African defenders while Saba Anjum, Jasjeet Handa and Jyoti Kullu looked clueless in the first 15 minutes of the game.

The Indians started on a promising note, forcing a penalty corner in the fourth minute which was wasted. The South African retaliated immediately and were awarded a penalty corner which this was converted by Kate Hector with a powerful direct hit giving a 1-0.

The South Africans increased the lead in the sixth minute when Jennifer Wilson made a good move from the right and lobbed the ball to unmarked Henriette Du Buisson who swated the ball into the goal (2-0).

The pressure continued on the Indians as they conceded another penalty corner in the 18th minute but this time the South African attempt for an indirect try failed.

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