La Albericia (Spain):India defeated South Africa 6-5 in a thrilling third hockey Test here Sunday night.
Strikers Shivendra Singh (13th, 38th minute), Dharamvir Singh (19th, 21st minute), Tushar Khandker (36th minute) and penalty corner specialist V.R. Raghunath (penalty stroke 53rd minute) were on target for India.
The goal-scorers for South Africa were Austin Smith (penalty stroke 17th, penalty corner 69th), Tim Drummond (42nd), Ian Haley (48th) and Justin Ried Ross (penalty corner 67th).
Shivendra put India ahead in the 13th minute, scoring a field goal. South Africa, who qualified for the London Olympics winning the last qualifier at Kakamigahara in Japan, equalised four minutes later through Smith, who converted a penalty stroke.
South African's then played a defensive game, but some sharp moves by the Indians helped forward Dharamvir score twice in the span of three minutes. India led 3-1 at half time.
India added two more after the lemon break, with field goals from Khandker (36th minute) and Shivendra (38th minute). South Africa reduced the margin through Drummond and Haley in the 42nd and 48th minutes, respectively (5-3).
India added one more in the 53rd minute through a penalty stroke by Raghunath, while the opponents converted two penalty corners in the final minutes of the match to round off a 5-6 finish. India will now play South Africa again Wednesday. (IANS)
