Thailand edge past Kazakhstan 4-3 to enter semifinals

New Delhi, 12 March 2015: The second quarter final match of Hero FIH Hockey World League Round 2 (Women) witnessed a nerve-wracking and a close game of hockey been played between Thailand and Kazakhstan at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi where Thailand defeated Kazakhstan 4-3 to enter the semi finals of the League.

The first quarter of the match began with Thailand women possessing the ball and making swift attacks at the goal post with an aim to take a lead in the game. In the mid of their constant endeavours to score, Thailand was awarded a penalty corner in the 10th minute. Thailand skipper Boonta Duangurai took the strike. The ball swung past the goalie to reach for the nets as Thailand eves gained a 1-0 lead over Kazakhstan.

Both the teams further strengthened their defence line up in the second quarter as the strikers looked for openings to score. In the 21st minute Kanyanut Nakpolkrung of Thailand struck a tremendous field goal to double the lead for her team. But the joy was short lived as Kazakhstan was given a penalty corner the very next minute. 

Natalya Sazontova took the strike and without any mistakes converted the opportunity availed into the first goal for her side. With boosted spirit, Kazakhstan continued making efforts and was awarded another penalty corner in the 26th minute. Vera Domashneva scored this time to level the scores 2-2 which remained till the end of half time.  

The second half of the match saw shored up efforts from both the sides as each tried desperately to score and edge past the other. In the 41st minute, Tikhamporn Sakunpithak of Thailand scored a field goal to hand her team a lead once again. The third quarter ended with a score of 3-2 with Thailand leading from the front.

The last quarter of the match started off with an early goal in the 47th minute, a penalty corner conversion, by Sirikwan Wongkeaw which escalated the score to 4-2 for Thailand women.  

Kazakhstan was given a penalty corner shortly which was fruitfully converted into the third goal for the team by Irina Dobrioglo to close in the score gap a bit. Kazakhstan women tried making a comeback in the concluding minutes of the game but the tight Thailand defence did not allow them to score any further. The final scores stood at 4-3 as Thailand entered the semi finals of the League.

Ecstatic on the win, Coach of Thailand, Young Wook Bae said, “Our team has many young players and we need to encourage and motivate them in every match. We have been practicing hard for all the matches. More important than scores is that these young players are getting better with every match which will enhance their skills.”

HI Press release