Hyderabad, Oct 30: Riding on goalkeeper Helen Innocent's brilliance, India got the better off South Africa 5-4 in tie-breaker to win the women's hockey gold in the inaugural Afro-Asian Games here today. After the 15-minute extra time failed to bring any result after both the teams were locked 1-1 at the regulation time, Helen came up with two fine saves before Sanggai Chanu converted the last stroke putting it to the left of the South African custodian to script a memorable win for India.
After a goal-less first half, Jennifer Claire Wilson put South Africa ahead in the 40th minute from a penalty corner but India found the equaliser soon in the 52nd minute, Suman Bala converting a penalty corner for the hosts.
This was India Eve's first major win since winning the Commonwealth games gold in Manchester last year. But the win in the inaugural edition of the games here was more significant since they played the tournament without five of their senior players.
Today's win also rekindled memories of India's famous come from behind win against the South Africans in the quarterfinals at Manchester, a victory which had then set the stage for India to march ahead and win the tournament beating several top countries in fray.
Bureau Report