Tokyo 2020, Women's Hockey highlights: India defeats South Africa to stay alive in Olympics

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Hockey score: Here are all the commentary updates from the women's Pool A encounter between India and South Africa in Japan.

Updated : Jul 31, 2021 15:25 IST

The Indian women's hockey team defeated South Africa 4-3 in a crucial Pool A encounter at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Friday (File Photo).
The Indian women's hockey team defeated South Africa 4-3 in a crucial Pool A encounter at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Friday (File Photo).
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The Indian women's hockey team defeated South Africa 4-3 in a crucial Pool A encounter at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Friday (File Photo).

Welcome to Sportstar's coverage of Indian women's hockey team's final Tokyo 2020 group game against South Africa. This was Dominic Richard taking you through the action as it unfurled at the Oi Stadium.

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INDIANS IN ACTION |

If Ireland defeats Britain, it will advance ahead of India on goal difference. Indian Hockey action for the day has come to an end. Tomorrow, the men's team will take on Great Britain in the quarterfinals at 5:30PM IST. Until then, you can head to Sportstar's live Indian blog for various other sports at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

MATCH REPORT |

For those wondering if India has qualified for the quarterfinals of the women's hockey event at the Tokyo Olympics, the team's progress will depend on the result of the game between Ireland and Great Britain later in the day (5:15PM IST). If the Irish aren't able to beat the British, the Indians will go though to the last-eight.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

AND THE MATCH IS OVER! INDIA BEATS SOUTH AFRICA 4-3!!!

59' DECISION REVERSED! The umpire had awarded South Africa a penalty corner. But after an Indian referral, the decision has been changed. India will have a free-hit now.

56' The Indians have scored from three of the nine PCs they've won so far, and also had the upper hand when it comes to possession and attacking circle penetrations against South Africa here. Anything less than a win will be heartbreak for India.

53' India is looking to score one more. It knows that South Africa is capable of bagging another equaliser today. This encounter is far from over.

49' GOOOOAAAALLL!!!!! INDIA GRABS THE LEAD FOR A FOURTH TIME THIS GAME!!! Coach Marijne has definitely made the Indian women's side work extensively on penalty corners in training ahead of this match. After missing a whopping 14 PCs against Ireland, the Indians score again through one here. Gurjit Kaur with the drag-flick and Vandana Katariya completed her hattrick with another deflection at close range.

47' Some positive aggression from India early on in this quarter. But the South African defence looks quite solid in the middle. We are heading towards an exciting finish.

THE FOURTH AND FINAL QUARTER BEGINS!

South Africa has equalised for a third time in this match. India will be kicking itself and coach Sjoerd Marijne wouldn't be too happy with the performances of the defenders today. Just 15 minutes to go. Stay tuned!

THE THIRD QUARTER COMES TO AN END!

44' WHAT A MISS!!! Rani Rampal should have scored here. She got the ball from Navneet Kaur and was one-on-one with South Africa custodian Mbande. But she came up with a weak shot to mess up the opportunity.

42' South Africa has actually dominated the possessional, attacking and passing stats in the last few minutes. India looks extremely rusty here.

39' GOOOAAAALLLL!!!! SOUTH AFRICA EQUALISES YET AGAIN!!! Marizen Marais displayed some excellent skills on the field to evade tackles from India's Navjot Kaur and Rani Rampal. She entered the circle and fired the ball past Indian keeper Savita Punia.

37' GREEN CARD! Lalremsiami is penalised by the referee for a mistimed challenge on an South African player. India will be a player short.

35' South Africa attacking with numbers forward here. However, the Indian defence stays alert and wins the ball back to initiate a counter-attack.

32' GOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!!!! INDIA RETAKES THE LEAD!!! Another Indian penalty corner, another variation from the team. Captain Rani Rampal was the drag-flicker this time around. She sent the ball towards Neha, who deflected it into goal.

THE THIRD QUARTER STARTS!

Goals from Tarryn Glasby and Erin Hunter have brought South Africa on level terms (2-2) with India after Vandana Katariya put her team ahead once each in either quarter. Thirty minutes to go. Stay tuned!

THE SECOND QUARTER IS DONE AND DUSTED!

30' GOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!!!! SOUTH AFRICA EQUALISES AGAIN!!! Skipper Erin Hunter scores to make it 2-2. This was a Lisa-Marie Deetlefs penalty corner which was deflected by an Indian defender towards Hunter, who executed a simple finish.

29' SHOT! Lalremsiami receives a quick pass from her Indian teammate Navneet Kaur. After some deliberation, she fires a shot at close range, which goes wide.

26' South Africa hasn't won a single penalty corner yet, while India has six so far. But the Indians only have a shooting efficiency of 22 per cent, which has been the story of their tournament. They need to start converting more chances.

23' WHAT A SAVE! India should have been 3-1 up here. Neha Goyal had an immense amount of space after getting past a couple of opposition players. However, her shot was blocked by South African keeper Mbande, who used her right leg to make the save.

20' CHANCE FOR SOUTH AFRICA! Lerato Mahole dribbles past Indian midfielder Monika Malik and gets into the edge of the shooting circle. But she isn't able to release a shot on target.

17' GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!! INDIA 2 - 1 SOUTH AFRICA!!! This was a Deep Grace Ekka penalty corner and Vandana Katariya struck her stick out to divert the ball into goal and complete her double.

THE SECOND QUARTER IS UNDERWAY!

Tarryn Glasby cancelled out Vanadana Katariya's early opener as South Africa and India are level 1-1 after the first 15 minutes today.

THE FIRST QUARTER ENDS!

15' GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!! SOUTH AFRICA FINDS THE EQUALISER!! Glasby deflects a long ground pass from Taryn Mallett and finds the back of the net. India has asked for a referral but the umpire's decision stands.

13' CHANCE FOR SOUTH AFRICA! Tarryn Glasby receives a pass from Charne Maddocks and sprints forward on the left flank. But she is eventually dispossessed by India's Udita.

10' South Africa hasn't made a single circle penetration yet. Meanwhile, India has completed five and holds a 52% overall possession in the game so far.

7' Deep Grace Ekka takes the ball forward on the right flank.  However, a couple of South African defenders surround her and regain possession.

4' GOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! INDIA TAKES A 1-0 LEAD!!! This was a brilliant move up front from the Indian attackers. Vandana Katariya received a pass from the right and managed to slot the ball into goal.

2' ANOTHER INDIAN PENALTY CORNER! This was given by the umpire after a referral. Gurjit takes a shot on target. After a game of pinball inside the circle, India wins a long corner.

1' EARLY PC FOR INDIA! Gurjit Kaur comes up with the drag flick as expected. However, South Africa goalkeeper Phumelela Mbande makes a wonderful save to deny the Indians.

AND THE MATCH BEGINS!

The players from both teams are out on the field, and it is time for the national anthems, which will be followed by the toss in the middle.

The team lineups are out!

INDIA XI:  Savita Punia (GK), Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Neha Goyal, Monika Malik, Rani Rampal (C), Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Navjot Kaur, Nisha.

COACH - Sjoerd Marijne.

SOUTH AFRICA XI: Erin Hunter (C), Charne Maddocks, Tarryn Glasby, Quanita Bobbs, Phumelela Mbande (GK), Lisa Deetlefs, Lilian Du Plessis, Kristen Paton, Taryn Mallett, Celia Seerane, Marizen Marais.

COACH - Robin van Ginkel.

In case you missed it, the Indian men’s hockey team outclassed host Japan 5-3 in its last group game of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday to finish second in Pool A. The side’s third successive win puts it in good stead ahead of the quarterfinals, where it will face Great Britain.

FULL STORY |

Navneet Kaur scored a late goal as India beat Ireland in a Pool A match to stay alive in the women's hockey event at the Tokyo Olympics. If India defeats South Africa and Ireland doesn't come out on top against Great Britain, the Indians will book their place in the knockout stage of the 2021 Games.

READ MORE |

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

  • At what time will the Indian women's hockey team be in action?
    The hockey game against South Africa will start today at 8:45 AM IST (12:15 PM local time).
  • Where to watch Indian events at Tokyo Olympics?
    The Sony Sports Network will broadcast Tokyo Olympics live in India.

    Sony TEN 3 HD/SD will telecast India events with Hindi commentary while Sony TEN 1 HD/SD and Sony TEN 2 HD/SD will have English commentary.

    Live streaming of the events will be available on the SonyLIV and JioTV apps.
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