FIH Pro Hockey League Match 4: India crushes South Africa

 The Indian men’s hockey team produced a dominating performance as they ended the South African tour on a winning note crushing hosts with a huge margin played at the Northwest University, Potchefstroom on Sunday.

It was an aggressive start for the Indian team as they earned an early penalty corner as the South African defender blocked it. Both teams had big chances of taking the lead but were not able to convert it into a goal. South Africa earned a penalty corner as Dan Bell went past Krishna Pathak in the 12^th minute to make it 1-0. Surender Kumar produced a stunning shot inside the circle to level scores at 1-1 in the 15^th minute and ended the first quarter with 1-1. De Souza was given a green card and was away for 2 minutes.

South Africa started the 2^nd quarter on a positive note as P Sreejesh produced some good saves. The hosts were awarded a penalty corner that was well saved by the experienced Sreejesh. A long-range pass to Shailand Lakra converted into a goal in the 27^th minute to make it 2-1 in favor of India. The Indian team showed great skills with counterattack after South Africa penalty corner as Dilpreet hits the shot and gave it to Mandeep Singh in the 28^th minute to put India ahead by 3-1. Despite South Africa giving a tough fight, the Indian team produced some brilliant goals ending the first half at 3-1.

It was another good start by South Africa at the start of 3^rd quarter being awarded a penalty stroke. The umpire gave it a penalty stroke and India decided to review the decision, the decision remained as it was. Krishna Pathak denied South Africa a goal with a brilliant save. South Africa put India under immense pressure with penalty corners and brilliant saves by Krishna Pathak. A superb drag-flick shot by Harmanpreet Singh from a penalty corner in the 36^th minute gave India a 4-1 lead. It was end-to-end stuff with South Africa getting chances but not able to convert it.

Both teams were awarded a green card as Spooner went from South Africa while Shilanand also went out for 2 minutes. Sumit scored from a brilliant pass by Abishek with a reverse flick in the 45^th minute to make it 5-1. At the end of the 3^rd quarter, India led 5-1.

South Africa began the final quarter with a penalty corner, but the Indian defense was solid enough. Shailand Lakra with deflection shot from a powerful shot by Abishek in the 48^th minute to put South Africa under serious pressure. India put consistent pressure with aggressive moves as a combination move by Mandeep and Akashdeep but the South African goalkeeper did a superb job to save it.

Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 52^nd minute to make it 7-1. South Africa scored a consolation goal as Connor Beauchamp from a penalty corner in the 53^rd minute. A rebound shot by Shamser gave India’s 8^th goal despite a superb save by South African goalkeeper Jones in the 56^th minute. Harmanpreet Singh converted 2 penalty corners in succession to end the match with a resounding 10-2 win.

The Indian men’s team made a strong comeback after losing to France by 2-5. It was a superb performance as their first match against South Africa with a 10-2 margin.

With this win, India moves to 2^nd in the points table. They will now against Spain on 26^th and 27^th Feb at Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar.

India thrash South Africa by 10-2 in their last match on South Africa