India holds Ukraine

ABBEVILLE (FRANCE), SEPT. 23. India's hopes to qualify for the women's World Cup hockey received a jolt when it was held to a 2- 2 draw by Ukraine in a Pool A match in the qualifying tournament here on Saturday.

With this draw India with four points (1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss), was fourth in the seven-team pool.

In a keenly fought battle, Ukraine went ahead in the 13th minute through Kolomiyets. Stung by the reverse India mounted pressure on the Ukraine defence with repeated forays and scored the equaliser 13 minutes later through Surinder Kaur.

At half-time, the teams were level 1-1.

The second half saw the fast moving Ukrainians turning the heat on and again took the lead through a goal by Salenko in the 39th minute.

Ukraine held on to the slender lead for the next quarter resisting the sallies of Jyoti, Surinder Kaur, Mamta and Shangai.

But their perseverance earned India a penalty corner in the 58th minute and Suman Balla sounded the boards with a rasping shot.

Ukraine then pressed for the winner but Indian skipper and goalkeeper Tingoleema Chanu effected some brilliant saves to avoid defeat.

- PTI

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Section  : Sport
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