Vandana Kataria scored two goals as the Indian women’s hockey team beat Wales 3-1 to record their second straight win in Pool A at the Commonwealth Games.
India scored all three of their goals from penalty corners with Vandana finding the net twice, while Gurjit Kaur had a great drag flick on Saturday.
The Indians were the better side on display as they controlled the game from start to finish barring a few phases.
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Penalty corner conversion remains a concern for India as they used three of the seven they received in the match.
Wales, on the other hand, capitalized on the only chance of the game with Zena Hughes on target.
The Indians continuously attacked the fort of Wells from the world but failed to find the final touch with maneuvers.
Wales goalkeeper Roisin Thomas put in a brilliant performance and had it not been for him, the scoreline could have been hugely in India’s favour.
The Indians dominated possession and attacking play but their efforts in the first quarter did not pay off.
India earned their first penalty corner in the second minute of the match but Monica’s effort was saved by Welsh goalkeeper Thomas.
In the 13th minute, a great shot from the top of the circle by Lalremsiami was saved by Thomas.
India kept up the pressure and continued to attack, which resulted in another penalty corner in the 26th minute and this time they were successful as Vandana neatly deflected Gurjit’s flick.
Two minutes later, India earned another penalty corner and Gurjit Wells was on target with a powerful low flick to the right of keeper Thomas.
The Indians continued their attacking display after the change of ends.
India won another penalty corner and went for a conversion but Deep Grace’s slap shot was easily parried by Thomas.
In the very next minute, an alert Thomas made a fine save to deny Vandana a fierce reverse hit from inside the circle.
In the 44th minute, Navneet Kaur scored for Sharmila Devi but the latter’s reverse hit from close range was blocked by the alert Thomas in the Wales goal.
Wales had their only chance of the match with a penalty corner 13 seconds into the third quarter and Hughes found the back of the Indian net after Grace’s foot deflected.
In the 47th minute, India earned their sixth penalty corner but Gurjit’s sweep shot was saved by Thomas.
Minutes later, India earned another penalty corner and this time Monica’s powerful slap shot was deflected by Vandana to give India a 3-1 lead, which they managed to hold onto for their second win of the competition.
India will next face hosts England on August 2.
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