FIH Hockey World Cup | India begin campaign with a commanding 5-0 win over South Africa

The Indian hockey team were under pressure to put in a dominating performance ahead of their group stage opener against South Africa as they geared up to play in front of a packed home crowd. However, the home team lived up to the expectations as they registered a resounding 5-0 victory against the Africans to go top of Group C on Wednesday.

The brilliant pace of the Indian attack in the opening quarter at the Kalinga stadium was backed by the roaring fans in Bhubaneswar. In these trying conditions, South Africa conceded two goals in quick succession to hand India control of the game early on.

The first one came from Mandeep Singh, who pounced on a save from opponent goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse, scooped it over the goalie into the net in the 10th minute. The second goal came within two minutes after some classy passing between Varun Kumar and Akashdeep Singh. Akashdeep, who called Pieterse’s bluff, and finished the move by tapping the ball to the opposite corner of the net and doubled India’s lead.

The half-time break seemed to have helped the South Africans as they fought back against the hosts. In the first 10 minutes second half, the visitors had more possession, saved a Penalty Corner and began to pile pressure on the home team. But that did not last long.

In the 42nd minute Mandeep provided a stunning assist as he passed the ball to Simranjeet from the baseline. Simranjeet ,then, smoothly finished the move past the keeper. He scored once again (in the 46th minute) after Lalit Upadhyay scored the fourth goal of the day for India before the team’s separated for a break before the last quarter.

On Sunday, India will next take on world number three Belgium, who began their campaign with a 2-1 win against Canada.