India-US play second
straight draw
India were held to a second successive 1-1 draw by the United States in the second match of the three-game women's World Cup hockey play-off series at the Cannock Hockey Club, England, on Sunday.
The third and decisive final game will be played on Tuesday.
Earlier, the first game on Saturday, at the same venue, was also drawn 1-1.
The play-off series is being held as the Americans had failed to make it to the qualifiers in Paris last September due to security reasons following the September 11 terrorist attacks. The FIH gave them another chance by asking seventh-placed India to play a three-match series.
It was the United States who took the half-time lead, after Tracey Fuchs connected on a penalty-corner in the 22nd minute. The goal was Fuchs's second of the series.
India levelled in the second half through Sita Gussain, who also scored off a penalty-corner in the 48th minute.
Earlier, in the 10th minute of the match, Pritam Siwach had a penalty stroke disallowed for taking two steps.
The Indian women also failed to capitalise on a five minute yellow card suspension given to Kirsten McCann, midway through the second half. Jill Reeve too was sent off for a poor tackle in the dying moemets of the game.
The winner of Tuesday’s final game will advance to the World Cup, which will be held from November 28 to December 8 in Perth, Australia.
Earlier, in the first match Saturday, India took an early lead in the 10th minute, when Mamta Kharb struck home a shot past Margaret Storrar following a scramble in front of the US goal.
The rest of the half was evenly balanced and neither side created too many clear-cut scoring chances.
However, the United States started the second half in positive mood and forced a couple of corners. Tracey Fuchs scored off the second penalty-corner in the 51st minute to tie the game.
India did come strongly towards the end but all of their good approach play floundered on a resolute American defence.
The teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero for a loss. Should the teams remain tied following Tuesday’s third game, the winner will be determined by International Hockey Federation tie-breaking rules.
