India hit fifth gear in opening game
Manpreet Singhled side pumps in five goals past South Africa in rousing start to campaign
The 14th edition of the hockey World Cup sprang to life with exactly what the 15,000strong audience at the packed Kalinga Stadium as well as Indian fans wanted – the home team starting with a victory, and pumping in plenty of goals.
Chief coach Harendra Singh’s prayers were answered as his team began their campaign in Group C with a 5-0 victory over cash-strapped world No 15 South Africa, with members of India’s sole World Cup-winning team of 1975 watching from the stands.
Man-of-the-Match Simranjeet Singh (43rd, 46th) scored a brace and Mandeep Singh (10th), Akashdeep Singh (12th) and Lalit Upadhyay (45th) helped the hosts ease the weight on the shoulders of the young team.
“The clean match sheet is a positive sign, which means all 11 played well. They came out and snatched the ball at the right moments and didn’t throw their sticks,” said Harendra.
India went on the attack from start with skipper Manpreet Singh creating a brilliant move in the second minute. Striker Mandeep missed an open goal, failed to trap the ball that had too much pace. But he made amends soon. A set piece saw Harmanpreet Singh’s flick to the top left brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Gowan Jones. But Mandeep was at the right place as he slapped in the rebound for India’s first goal of the tournament.
The crowd had to wait for only two more minutes for another goal as one of India’s finest poachers, Akashdeep, found the ball in a crowded striking circle and pushed in. “Akash has a very good peripheral vision. He is lethal as a link man. He is taking the lead,” gushed Harendra.
Vice-captain Chinglensana Singh, playing his 200th international, created several chances for the forwardline.
SA RESISTANCE
South Africa showed some resistance in the second quarter and the early part of the third period to not concede any goal.
“We were a bit complacent in the third quarter. The moment they were 0-2 down, they pulled one of their back three up to (turn him into) an extra midfielder. But we regrouped well. They smelt a goal but we didn’t let that happen,” added the India coach. India hit a purple patch again in the last phase of the third quarter to score two goals in as many minutes. Simranjeet recorded his first of the World Cup after Mandeep’s assist found his stick and South Africa goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse was caught napping. Experienced forward Lalit Upadhyay scored India’s fourth, seconds from the end of the quarter.
South Africans, most of whose players had to pay for their trip to India, had more misery to endure as India were given another penalty corner. Harmanpreet took it again and missed but Simranjeet converted the second rebound, making it 5-0.
India will next play 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallists Belgium on December 2 before leaving for a day-long bonding trip to Puri, a short break from their rigorous training routine.