‘Give One Gold to Referee’ – Fans Term India Women’s Loss Against Australia A ‘Cheating’ in CWG 2022 Hockey
Indian Women’s vs Australia in Commonwealth Games 2022 Hockey (Image Source: Twitter)
On Day 8 of the Commonwealth Games 2022, the Indian Women’s Hockey team played the Semi-finals against Australia. Indian fans were hoping that these girls can bring some glory back to the country. But, it did not go as per plan. India failed to win the tie as they lost 0-3 in the shoot-out to four-time champions Australia. Both the teams ended the game at a tie 1-1 at the end of regulation time. In the final minute of the match, Australia got two more penalty corners. However, the Indian skipper made a double save on the first attempt.
Then, the match went into the shoot-out. Speaking of the match, India put up a great fight as they managed to take the game into a shoot-out. But, it turned out to be a heartbreak for India. India’s Lalremsiami, Neha Goyal, and Navneet Kaur missed their first three attempts, while Australia converted all their chances. But, a controversial event occurred during the first attempt of Australia in the shoot-out.
Referees robbed the Indian Women’s Hockey team of a win in the Semis
Australia’s Ambrosia Malone took the first attempt. However, Savita Punia saved it. But, referees asked for a retake due to a technical issue. The officials forgot to switch on the shot clock, with the technical delegate uttering, “no, no, no, wait, wait, wait”. She later communicated the retake decision to the referee. Then, Australia took that attempt again, and eventually, she scored.
After that match, Punia talked to the Sony Sports network. She said: “It was a very close match and sometimes these decisions don’t go your way, it becomes tougher. The first stroke was asked to be retaken. It was tough for us but, at the same time, these are part of the game. We have to move on. It will take today’s time (to get over the loss in the semi-final).”
She also added: “It was a close match, we had worked hard. But now, the bronze medal match is very important. We are aware of it. As a captain, as a senior player, it’s my responsibility to motivate the players and make sure they are ready for the bronze medal match.” India will now take on New Zealand in the bronze medal play-off on Sunday, 7 August 2022. But, this loss did not go well with the fans as they started to term it as ‘Cheating’ on Twitter.
Here is how fans have reacted to India’s loss against Australia in Commonwealth Games 2022 Hockey:
https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/1555774075821527042?t=lu8wS8FlKGiFnbxVwp-4Tw&s=19
Cheating is happening in commonwealth games. Aus player lost his shoot out and referee said "clock hasn't started yet" aus player has been given extra shoot out"
THIS IS CHEATING AGAINST INDIA#cheating #INDvsAUS #IndvAus #WomenHockey #CWG22 #Birmingham22— Yogesh mehta (@crickyogi) August 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/IacGaurav/status/1555660582631534593
https://twitter.com/kapildevtmkr/status/1555671968149819393
#cheating
Australians have always had a habit of cheating and winning, but we have to learn to respond in their language.We have to raise the level of our game so high that we can beat them. That would be the correct answer.#SavitaPunia #Hockey #CWG2022 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/h3jikffzkD
— Anurag (@hit_middle) August 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/AmanSinghKC__2/status/1555669914840870912
https://twitter.com/Duggavati_kiran/status/1555776321757650944
Cheating at its best. Umpire says "CLOCK HAS NOT STARTED" and the brilliant save by the goal keeper was wasted. @FIH_Hockey if you can't organise the tournament with fair play, just give trophy to your favourite England or Australia. #cheating #CWG2022 #FIH #Australia #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/sdxpgA5vtk
— Devraj TS (@Devraj_TS) August 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/Cricket1045/status/1555728511612375040
