FAVOURITES India overcame a stiff challenge from lower-ranked Canada to post a 3-2 win and virtually book a place in the men’s final of the Olympic qualifying tournament in New Delhi yesterday.
South Africa faced no difficulty in moving into the women’s final, thrashing India 5-2 for their third win in four matches.
In other men’s matches, France had to work hard for a 3-0 win over lower-ranked Italy and Poland trounced inexperienced Singapore 11-3 to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the final.
India currently top the six-team group with 12 points from four matches, followed by Poland (nine), France (nine), Canada (six). Singapore and Italy, winless after four games, are out of contention.
France will clash with Canada and Poland take on India in the last league matches tomorrow (February 24).
In other women’s matches, Stephanie Jameson converted a penalty-stroke in the second half as Canada downed Poland 1-0 and Italy beat Ukraine 2-1.
South Africa lead the group with 10 points, followed by Italy (eight), India (seven), Ukraine (four), Canada (four) and Poland (nil). The winners of the India-Italy game tomorrow will move into the final.
The top two teams in each event will enter the final, with the winners qualifying for the London Olympics.
