New Delhi: South Africa came back strong after losing the first two matches to the hosts, as they beat India 3-1 in the third game of the Men's Five Match Hockey Test Series at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium here on Thursday.
It was South Africa all the way in both the halves, as the visitors dominated the proceeding from the very beginning and managed to take the lead through Llyod Madsen in the 21st minute as he converted the penalty stroke awarded to the visitors. In the very last minute of the first half, South Africa increased the margin to 2-0 when Ian Haley sounded the plank in the 35th minute. Though Sandeep Singh reduced the margin by converting a short corner for the hosts in the 49th minute, South Africa made it 3-1 through Craig Haley in the 55th minute.
The match that started under the flood lights saw a better crowd compared to what was witnessed in the past. Both teams started on the attacking note and it was the team from South Africa who made the first real challenge which was stopped brilliantly by the Indian goal keeper Sreejesh who injured himself in the process, but soon recovered.
South Africa got two back to back penalty corners and it was Vikaram Pillay’s effort in the second corner which stopped the visitor scoring the goal. In the 21st minute South African’s were awarded a controversial penalty stroke and they scored the opener through a shot from Llyod Madsen which flew past the goalkeeper’s right.
India fought back and got their first penalty corner in the 29th minute and everyone who was present in the stadium chanted Sandeep Singh’s name. Sandeep took the shot but hit it straight to the goalkeeper which was stopped without and difficulty. In the dying seconds of the first half South Africa came up with a fabulous counter attack and a shot from Ian Haley confirmed that India will have it tough in the rest of the match.
India started the second half and controlled the ball superbly and in the process created many chances. In the 39th minute Rajpal Singh ran into the visitor’s half and gave the pass to Dharamvir Singh who failed to connect properly. In the 48th minute India won the penalty corner and this time Sandeep did not disappoint as he drilled the ball past the goalkeepers left. India kept the pressure on and looked to score the equalizer any minute.
South Africans took everyone by surprise and scored their third goal with another counter attack which the Indian defenders failed to read. Craig Haley scored the goal and with that India’s chances of staying in the match looked very rare. India did have the opportunity in the very next minute through a penalty corner but Sandeep missed the opportunity.This was followed by several Indian attacks but the visitor’s were in no mood to let India get back in the game and defended well.
In the post match press conference Michael Nobbs, Indian coach said,” We are trying to give every player opportunity to show his class. We are experimenting and these results do not bother me too much.” On the umpiring he said,” I don’t think it was a penalty stroke. The umpiring was pretty average throughout the match.”
“It’s been a long time coming. We are a better side than what we showed in the past two games,” said Gregg Clark, South Africa coach.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News