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India's Saravanjit Singh (R) and Ravi Pal run as they celebrate after Saravanjit scored his...
India's frenzied fans buoyed their men's hockey team into the Commonwealth Games final on Tuesday as the side beat England on penalties to remain on course for the gold medal the host country craves the most.(For Slideshow: Commonwealth Games Highlights, click http://in.reuters.com/news/pictures/...leId=INRTXT0LP)
While some events at the Delhi Games have been played in front of only a handful of supporters, the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium was rocking as 19,000 fans danced on seats and waved flags after India won the semi-final on penalties 5-4.
The result means India will play favourites Australia in the final and are guaranteed a first Commonwealth Games men's hockey medal.
The victory proved too much for some, with fans seen crying after the win and local journalists and Games volunteers embracing in scenes that demonstrated the importance of the country's national game, second in popularity only to cricket.
Indian goalie Bharat Chetri was the match winner, producing the only save of the shootout when he denied Glenn Kirkham's third effort for England after the match had finished 3-3.
The Indian team hugged and took in the crowd's appreciation as they completed a lap of honour while Canadian and Malaysian sides, playing in a later match, attempted to go through their pre-match preparations.
However, for long periods the victory looked unlikely for India, who beat rivals Pakistan in their previous match.
Fans streamed in throughout the first half after missing the start of the match as they struggled to get through the heavy security and busy Delhi rush-hour traffic.
A flock of kites also did their best to disturb the early action, the large brown birds swooping continuously on to the artificial surface as England took a 3-1 advantage midway through the second half, much to the astonishment of home fans.
But the crowd continued to cheer and hit their seats to make a deafening drumming noise as the home side swept back to force extra time before prevailing in the shootout.
"Our defence was very strong but as we tired our deep defence struggled so we allowed them chances and 20,000 Indians spurred them on," England manager Andy Halliday said.
(Editing by Sonia Oxley; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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