2002 Commonwealth Games Women's Hockey
The Commonwealth Games is an international sporting event in which athletes from Commonwealth of Nations countries participate. It is a multi-sport event that is held every four years. The 2002 Commonwealth Games was the 17th edition of the games and took place in Manchester, England. The event featured a total of 14 sports and was attended by athletes from over 70 countries. One of the most exciting sports at the games was women's hockey.
The Teams
The women's hockey event at the 2002 Commonwealth Games saw eight teams compete. These teams were Australia, Canada, England, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago. These teams were divided into two pools. Pool A included Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Pool B consisted of England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The Format
The women's hockey competition at the Commonwealth Games followed a round-robin format in the group stage, with each team playing against all the other teams in its pool. The top two teams from each pool then advanced to the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals faced each other in the gold medal match, while the losers competed for the bronze medal.
The Matches
The women's hockey tournament at the 2002 Commonwealth Games was full of thrilling matches, with each team giving their all to win the championship. In the group stage, Australia and England dominated their respective pools, finishing at the top with six points each. They were followed by India and Canada, who advanced to the semifinals with three points each. In the semifinals, Australia beat India 3-0, while England defeated Canada 2-0. This set up a thrilling gold medal match between Australia and England.
The Final
The gold medal match between Australia and England was an intense battle that saw both teams giving their all. Australia scored first in the 23rd minute through a penalty corner, but England equalized just two minutes later with a penalty stroke. The game remained tied at 1-1 until the 60th minute when Australia scored the winning goal. The final score was 2-1 in favor of Australia, who won their third consecutive gold medal in women's hockey at the Commonwealth Games.
Conclusion
The women's hockey tournament at the 2002 Commonwealth Games was an exciting event that saw some of the best teams in the world compete for the championship. Australia emerged as the winners, while England had to settle for the silver medal. The tournament showcased the skills and talent of some of the best female hockey players in the world and was an inspiration to young girls who aspire to play hockey at the highest level.