India too good for Scotland

An inspired India and a fighting Japan on Monday beat Scotland and France respectively to book a final date in the Castrol Hockey Festival in Milton Keynes, England.

It was a great day of hockey as India dominated the proceedings to notch 4-2 victory over Scotland, after outclassing them in all departments.

India, who had a disappointing opening match draw against France on Sunday, opened the scoring in the 28th minute through a Gagan Ajit Singh field goal and followed it up with a Prabhojot Singh goal in the 33rd minute.

India led 2-0 at half time.

Scotland came back strongly after the break and in the 58th minute, Richard Forsyth converted a penalty-corner.

India struck back with a field goal from Baljit Singh Dhillon in the 61st minute and immediately scored in the next minute through Daljit Dhillon.

Six minutes later, Richard Forsyth grabbed a consolation second goal for himself and Scotland with a slight deflection from a free hit outside the circle to cap the final score at 4-2.

Unlike Saturday's match, India kept possession, with accurate passing, and carefully built their attacks.

Scotland did not seem to have an answer to the tight game and were only able to make a few breaksthroughs that were swiftly dealt with by a fired up Indian team.

Japan with two wins and India with a win and a draw will play the final on Tuesday.

Coach Cedric D'Souza said he is happy with the team's performance but added there is "still room for improvement".

"The team came up well after their disappointing draw against France yesterday and it certainly showed today with far more cohesion in their play," he said.

In the first game on Monday, Japan beat France 3-2. The Japanese dominated the game throughout although France took the lead in the 16th minute through a field goal by Gerome Branquart.

Kenji Asaj of Japan immediately struck back to level a minute later. Three minutes after the break, Kenji was again on target to extend Japan's lead and Takahiko Yamabori nabbed the third field goal for his team.

A contested penalty stroke decision in favour of France in the 61st minute saw the umpire unmoved and Frederic Soyez gratefully accepted another goal for his team.