Commonwealth Games 2014: Indian eves lose 0-3 to New Zealand in hockey

Glasgow: India eves failed to keep their winning momentum going as they were blanked 0-3 by higher-ranked New Zealand in their second Group match at the 20th Commonwealth Games, here today. India, ranked 13th in the world, showed glimpses of individual brilliance but the girls failed combine as team to be able to break the resolute defence of fourth-ranked 'Black Sticks'.

India were the second best team on the day as the Kiwi girls did not give any space to their opponents. For New Zealand Anita Punt scored two goals and Gemma Flynn scored the other. It took New Zealand just three minutes to open the scoring when Flynn utilised their first penalty corner and scored from a goal-mouth scramble. New Zealand kept up the pressure on the Indian defence thereafter but failed to add another goal to their account in the first half.

The script was the same after the change of ends as New Zealand continued to dominate the proceedings and denied the Indians any inroads. New Zealand doubled their lead in the 46th minute from another penalty corner which was perfectly converted by Punt. New Zealand had a goal disallowed in the 48th minute when Flynn scored from inside the circle but India went for the referral for an infringement and won it.

But a minute later New Zealand were awarded a penalty stroke for stick obstruction by an Indian defender inside the circle. The Indians once again went for the referral but thistime it was disallowed and Punt made no mistake in converting the opportunity. India will next play a lowly Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow. The Indians had earlier defeated Canada 4-2 in their opening encounter.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will face South Africa tomorrow. The Kiwis had thrashed Trinidad and Tobago 14-0 in the first group match.