Hockey
India to face Ireland in Hockey Nations Cup semifinal
India topped Pool B and will face Ireland in the semis on Friday. The winner of the Nations Cup will be promoted to the Pro League next season.
Gurjit Kaur converted a penalty corner to give India a 2-0 lead vs South Africa (HI)
Already through to the semifinals, India beat South Africa 2-0 to notch up their third win on the trot and top the pool in the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup. They will face Ireland in the semifinals on Friday while Spain will face the 2nd ranked team from India's group - Japan or Chile.
Deep Ekka Grace (14th minute) and Gurjit Kaur (59th) scored for India against the South Africans to end the pool B league engagement with an all-win record.
World number eight India topped the pool with nine points. They had beaten Chile (3-1) and Asian Games nemesis Japan (2-1) in their earlier matches.
The eight-team tournament is important for India as it brings in a system of promotion-relegation, where the champions will be promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women's Pro League, a key event ahead of next year's Asian Games and 2024 Paris Olympics.
(With PTI inputs)
