Somesh blames poor finishing for loss

Indian women's hockey coach Sandeep Somesh held his wards poor finishing and penalty corner conversion responsible for the side's 1-2 loss against Australia and said the home team will have to win their remaining two matches if they wish to enter the semi-finals.

India wasted numerous goal scoring chances, including as many as six short corners, which eventually turned out to be the difference between a victory a defeat.

"We started pretty well, created a lot of chances in the first half but could not convert them. But just like the World Cup, in the second half we were nowhere in the match," Somesh said at the post-match press conference.

"We also need to work upon our fitness as in the second half the girls seemed tired.

"We have to keep our fingers crossed and try to win our next two matches if we want to go the semis. But obviously, it would be tough against South Africa," he added.

He also said that the Indian eves were undone by poor penalty corner conversion.

"Lack of penalty corner conversion plagues Indian hockey. Holding on to the ball plagues Indian hockey. Isn't it?" Somesh asked.

India captain Surinder Kaur agreed with her coach and said even though they played better hockey than their previous outing, they failed to utilise their chances.

"We played better today. Got a lot of penalty corners but could not convert them. And in the second half we could keep the ball in our posession," Surinder said.