Indian eves win at last, avoid wooden spoon in world cup hockey

Madrid, Oct 8 (UNI) Captain Jyoti Sunita Kullu slammed a late first half goal to save Indian eves from the ignominy of walking away with the wooden spoon as they beat South Africa 1-0 in the World Cup Hockey 11th place playoff here.

Scoring her first goal of the tournament, Kullu knocked in a field goal in the 28th minute to give India a lead which they held till the end.

The goal also gave India their first victory of the tournament and ended their campaign with one win, one draw and five losses and a place higher than the 12th place showing in their last World Cup appearance in 1998 in Utrecht, Holland. They did not qualify for the last edition of the tournament held in 2002 in Perth.

South Africa, meanwhile, went winless in the tournament with two draws and five losses to finish last. They were placed 13th in a 16-team tournament in the last World Cup.

India entered the tournament ranked 13th in the world, while South Africa held a number 11 pre-tournament ranking.

Meanwhile, Japan beat United States by a solitary goal and qualified for the elite Champions Trophy to be played in Argentina in January next year.

The all-important goal for Japan was scored by Kaori Chiba in the 40th minute through a solo run.

Chiba managed to carry the ball into the circle, eluded a pair of defenders and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Amy Tran.

In the ninth place play-off, last edition's bronze medallist and Champions Trophy runners-up China lost to Korea 1-2 to finish 10th in the tournament.

Eun Young Choi (10th minute) and Mi Hyun Park (13th) scored for Korea while Ren Ye reduced the margin in the 70th minute.

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