Tokyo: Indian eves kept their quarter-final hopes alive after defeating Ireland 1-0 in their penultimate group match and registering their first win at Tokyo 2020 here on Friday.
For India, Navneet Kaur (57th minute) was the goal scorer three minutes before the final hooter, when she deflected Rani Rampal’s shot from the right giving India's it's first win in the tournament in four outings here at the Oi Hockey Stadium.
This was a crucial match for both the teams as a win for Ireland would have sealed a place for them in the quarter-finals and for India a win meant that their hopes of making it to the next round was still alive.
The Indian eve's will play their final group match against world No. 16 South Africa on Saturday, while Ireland will take on defending Olympic champions Great Britain on the same day.
India is currently placed fifth in the group behind Ireland both with three points each and separated by goal difference. (UNI)