New Delhi: The Walmiki brothers scripted history joining the list of a handful of siblings who have scored for the country in an international in India’s 3-0 win over Poland in a Pool ‘A’ match of the Hockey World League semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium, on Tuesday night.
The win put India on top of their group with six points from two games. They beat France 3-2 in their opening clash. On the day, they displayed a calm, calculated game keeping the Polish defenders on their toes for most part of the game.
India enjoyed greater ball possession 70 per cent to 30 to outplay the world no. 17 side.
Yuvraj Walmiki got the first goal, in the 23rd minute, capitalising on a lucky break when a diagonal ball deflected towards him off a defender’s stick. He made no mistake in flicking it past the hapless goalkeeper.
India impressed little with their three penalty corners in the absence of Rupinderpal Singh, who is recuperating from injury.
Skipper Sardar Singh added to the tally in the 41st minute with a stinging reverse drive from the top of the scoring circle into the left corner of the goal.
Devindar Walmiki then scored his second goal in successive matches in his debut tournament, deflecting in a diagonal ball from Chinglensana Singh in the 52nd minute of the encounter.
New Zealand hammer Indian women
India’s defence caved in against a strong New Zealand as they went down 0-5, for their second successive defeat in the league stage of the women’s event.
Dominating the Indian defence, Gemma Flynn and Kirsten Pearce scored two goals each, while Olivia Merry contributed one in New Zealand’s Pool ‘B’ victory.
