FIH Pro Hockey League Match 2: India thrash South Africa

 The Indian men’s hockey team continued their domination as they thrashed South Africa in the 2^nd match of the Pro Hockey League tournament played at the Northwest University, Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

It was a perfect start for the Indian team as Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner into a goal in the 2^nd minute to give a 1-0 lead. Jugraj Singh showed skills with two more penalty corners conversion in the 4^th and 6^th minute respectively to make it 3-0 in favor of India. Abishek scored a brilliant field goal with a mistake by South African player in the 12^th minute giving India a commanding 4-0 lead. At the end of the first quarter, India led 4-0.

South Africa began the second quarter on an aggressive note but could not convert chances into goals. Jugraj Singh completed his hattrick with a forceful penalty corner in the 23^rd minute to make 5-0 in favor of India. Gursahbjit showed class as he scored a field goal in the 24^th minute putting the South African team under immense pressure with a 6-0 lead. Dilpreet Singh made it 7-0 with a superb field goal in the 25^th minute. Mandeep Singh scored a superb field goal in the 27^th minute to make a commanding 8-0 lead. At the end of the first half, India led 8-0.

The third quarter began off to a brilliant start for the Indian team with another penalty corner but was well saved by the South African goalkeeper. South Africa showed intent earning a penalty corner, but P Sreejesh proved his worth with a superb save. A counterattack by Gurjabshit in the 37^th minute gave India their 9^th goal of the match. South Africa earned their third penalty corner but the shot went wide.

South Africa was awarded another penalty corner, but a successful review helped India to deny them PC. Daniel Bell finally opened the account for South Africa with a penalty corner in the 44^th minute. Right before the bell, Richard Pautz converted a brilliant field goal to reduce the gap at 2-9.

It was an aggressive start by India in the final quarter with another penalty corner but was well-saved South African goalkeeper. The South African forwards tried their best to score more goals, but Dilpreet Singh converted a brilliant reverse flick shot in the 58^th minute making it 10-2. India was awarded 2 penalty corners as compared to 1 of South Africa. Both teams could score from penalty corners as India registered an emphatic 10-2 win.

It was a dominating performance by the Indian men’s team. After thrashing 5-0 in their opening match against France, India dominated the play again and smashed 10 goals. India will now play against France on 12^th February.

   

India thrash South Africa by 10-2 in their 2nd match of Pro Hockey League 2022