India registered its second consecutive victory in the Hockey World League (HWL) Semifinals, defeating Poland 3-0 in a pool A game here on Tuesday.
Yuvraj Walmiki, skipper Sardar Singh and Devindar Walmiki scored.
India started on an aggressive note, attacking from both flanks with Birendra Lakra, Gurbaj Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Nikkin Thimmiah, Sardar and Walmiki. Poland came close to scoring off a penalty corner in the 21st minute. Pawel Bratkowski flicked the ball high and India custodian P.R. Sreejesh was up for the challenge.
India scored in the 23rd minute when Lakra drove the ball inside the circle, only to be deflected by a defender. Yuvraj, lurking in front of goalkeeper Arkadiusz Matuszak, pounced on the chance and lifted the ball into the net.
India got its second goal as Sardar surged ahead and exercised a reverse hit from the top of the circle in the 42nd minute.
In the 52nd minute, midfielder Chingnelsana Singh blasted the ball to the top of the circle. Devindar deflected the ball in for India’s third goal.
Women lose Indian women, on the other hand, caved in against a strong New Zealand losing 5-0, for its second successive defeat.
The results:
Men: Pool A: India 3 (Yuvraj Walmiki 23, Sardar Singh 42, Devinder Walmiki 52) bt Poland 0; Great Britain 2 drew with Ireland 2.
Women: Pool B: New Zealand 5 (Gemma Flynn 10, 40; Kirsten Pearce 52, 56, Merry Olivia 18) bt India 0; Ireland 2 drew with Great Britain 2.
