The Indian women’s hockey team suffered a 0-3 shootout defeat to four-time champions Australia in the semifinals of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 on Friday after the two teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
But the match was mired in controversy, when the referee ordered a replay of the first penalty in the shootout. India’s Swetha Punia had already saved Ambrosia Malone’s first attempt but the official asked Australia to take it again as the stopwatch had not started. Malone scored at the second try.
This has not gone down well with the fans, who are angry at the poor management of a major event like the Commonwealth Games. Even cricketer Virender Sehwag shared his frustration on Twitter. He wrote, ‘Penalty miss from Australia and the umpire says, ‘Sorry, the clock has not started’. This kind of favoritism used to happen in cricket before we became a superpower, in hockey we will soon and all clocks will start on time. We are proud of our girls.”
The penalty was missed by Australia and the umpire said, sorry the clock didn’t start. This kind of favoritism used to happen in cricket before we became a superpower, in hockey we will soon and all clocks will start on time. Proud of our girls 🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/mqxJfX0RDq
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 6, 2022
An AAP national council member termed the incident as ‘shameful’. He wrote, “What was that!! The first shot was well saved by GK Swetha Punia.. But the ref claims “the clock hasn’t started!” So given another chance? Not the case in a crucial match. Can!! Embarrassing.”
what was that!!
The first shot was well saved by GK’s Swetha Punia.
But the referee claims “the clock hasn’t started!”
So given another chance? This can’t happen in an important match!!Shameful👎👎👎#IndvsAus #Hockey #CWG2022
— Gaurav Roy (@IacGaurav) August 5, 2022
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Others also shared their frustration and anger on social media platforms.
It is not about India. Sorry that’s on the FIH and their refs. Early morning robbery. The psychological impact of this first retake, the difference. Heartbreaking! #HONESTVIND #CWG2022 #Hockey
— Anant Tyagi (@anantyagi_) August 5, 2022
Dismiss the umpires and repeat the shootout. This video shows the great heist! It was apparently 10 seconds from the first whistle to the last. Why was the video referral not taken? At least he apologized @FIH_Hockey And @thecgf Required. Protest should be done. #fraud #hackeyindia @ianuragthakur @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/sdTOvoYKnD
— Sanjeev Gupta (@sanjg2k1) August 6, 2022
This is just nonsense. How can India be punished for “not starting the clock”? https://t.co/CEejGuJKIn
— Sanjeev Sanyal (@sanjeevsanyal) August 6, 2022
Unbelievable https://t.co/nbCX5gLkon
— Kashyap Kadgatoor 🇮🇳 (@iamkash_kr) August 6, 2022
I couldn’t believe what I saw. Get your act together. @Birminghamcwg22. You not only returned the team to this field but also a billion people.#CWG2022 #HONESTVIND
—Joed Almeida (@Joed_Almeida) August 6, 2022
Chin up girls!
We are proud of you!I don’t know how someone can not start a timer for such a critical moment in such a big international match.
Anyway, it was amazing for the girls to defend 1-1 until the end.#Hockey #hackeyindia #CWC2022 pic.twitter.com/f9j0LRPZNY
— Amitesh Kumar (@belikeamitesh) August 5, 2022
Indian team coach Janeke Schuppmann said that the team lost momentum after the incident but did not want to use it as an excuse.
“I’m not using it as an excuse, but you know, your goalkeeper makes a save, it’s a huge boost for the team and you change the decision… The team was really upset about it. I’m sure they lost their focus a little bit after that, and that’s not an excuse, just a simple fact,” Schoopman said.
“It affected our momentum. [The retake] Walked in, and everyone fainted, we don’t need it but it’s human emotion… Better to have the power to shake it off and think it doesn’t matter, but of course it does. ,” he added
The coach also said that he had never seen anything like it in his career.
“I think those people [the delegates] Just don’t understand the game and the emotions involved. I have never experienced anything like this,” he said.
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