Hockey: Fuchs brings long wait to joyous end

The United States captain, Tracey Fuchs, played the heroine in a 3-1 victory against India at Cannock yesterday, the final game of a three-match series which saw her team booking the final berth at the World Cup in Sydney in November.

"After 10 months of waiting today's result is quite some thing," Fuchs said afterwards, referring to the fact that the US were unable to compete in last September's World Cup Qualifiers after the terrorist attacks.

India dominated the opening exchanges with their attractive, skilful play and took the lead in the 19th minute through Jyoti Sunita Kullu at a penalty corner. The Americans stepped up the power play after the interval and Fuchs levelled the scores from the penalty spot in the opening minute of the second half. Two minutes later Kelli Gannon put the Americans in the lead with Fuchs collecting her second goal in the 50th minute to ensure victory.