NEW DELHI: Indian women's hockey contingent has made their entry into the quarter-finals after defeating South African 4-3 on Saturday during the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.
South Africa came back from being 1-goal down three times, but, in the 4th quarter, India scored its 4th goal.
The India women's hockey team defeated South Africa 4-3 in their final Pool A game here at the Oi Hockey Stadium South Pitch on Saturday. As a result of this win, India's hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals remain intact.
India's top goal scorer Vandana Katariya scored a hattrick and Neha Goyal scored the 32nd minute. South Africa on the other hand had lost all matches, therefore, they had no chance to go through regardless of the match result.
Meanwhile, Maniour CM N. Biren Singh wrote, "Congratulations to our Women Hockey team. The country is proud of you. Brilliant performance by Vandana Katariya as she becomes the first Indian woman to score a hat-trick in an Olympics hockey. Salute!"
This is a crucial win for India that puts them ahead of Ireland in the qualification spot. However, Ireland is set to play Great Britain and the Indian women's hockey team will also be dependant on that result.
As it stands, India is 3 points ahead of Ireland, having played a game more, but, with a -2 goal difference. India has done all it can to ensure quarterfinals qualification.
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