Women's Olympic Qualifiers - South Africa rout India 5-2

Dirkie Chamberlain and Sulette Damons forged a fine partnership to help top seeds South Africa rout India 5-2 in a women’s Olympic qualifier match played at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. Chamberlain notched a hat-trick and Damons contributed a brace to power the Proteas to the top of the table with 10 points and also seal one spot in the final.

India, who trailed 1-2 at the break and have seven points from four games, now need to beat Italy (8 points) in their last encounter to clinch the other berth in the title round. On the other hand, Italy only need a draw to go through.

Chamberlain opened the account in the first half via a penalty corner and added a goal each in open play on either side of half time while Damons got both her goals in the second half. India showed plenty of fighting spirit and drew level twice through penalty corners with Asunta Lakra’s carpet drive in the 21^st minute making the scoreline 1-1 and Soundarya Yendala’s strike in the 52^nd minute helping India draw level at 2-2.

South Africa, ranked 12^th in the world, were streets ahead of India and could have won by a bigger margin if their shooters had taken all their chances. The Indians contributed to their own defeat with some shoddy defending. But in patches they also showed plenty of fighting spirit and came up with some good moves before being overwhelmed by the visitors’ superior firepower and their own deficiencies.

India could only convert two of the six penalty corners they forced and took their time to settle down as South Africa enjoyed the initial ascendancy. India could have added to their tally but Rani Rampal had a stiff shot came off the far post in the 40^th minute. Otherwise they did not have too much going for them as they played second fiddle to the superior SAFs for the most part of the match.