KUALA LUMPUR, SEPT 17: The Indian men's hockey team, despite muffing several chances, took their appointed place in the last four of the Commonwealth competitions here today after a 3-1 victory over New Zealand.They play Malaysia in the semis on Saturday.In the other semifinal, Pool A toppers Australia will play England who had defeated Pakistan yesterday and hence finished runners up in Group B.New Zealand had finished 10th, one behind India at Utrecht World Cup in May, losing 0-1 then. It was the New Zealanders who took the lead when they got the first penalty corner, Darren Smith deflected a flick from Brett Leavers.Three minutes after that, India equalised through their first penalty corner. Dileep Tirkey played a dummy and Mohammed Riaz got the ball and converted. Both India and New Zealand thereafter got a penalty corner each in the first half but could not convert.Women in semisIndia squeezed into the semifinals of the women's hockey competitions too after drawing 2-2 withScotland and setting up a meeting with England because of better goal difference.It is for the first time since the Esanda Cup in 1982 that the Indian women's team is making an entry into the semifinals of a big tournament. India had won the Asian Games hockey title in 1982 which remains the only feather in the cap for the women.In the second semifinal, hot favourites Australia, the title holders of the Olympics, Champions Trophy and World Cup, will face New Zealand.
