New Delhi: India came back strong in the second half, as after giving a crucial 3-0 lead to the visitors in the first half, the Men-In-Blue fought back hard to score three goals in the next 35 minutes and draw their fifth and final match of the Five Test Match Hockey Series against South Africa which concluded at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium here on Sunday. With this win India also won the series 3-1.
The South Africans drew the first blood in the 26th minute through Ricky West and five minutes later Ian Healey sounded the plank to make it 2-0 in the visitor’s favour. Miguel Da Graca increased the margin to 3-0 in the 34th minute. But the Indians came up with a different mindset after the break. Yuvraj Walmiki scored the first goal for the hosts in the 43rd minute and VR Raghunath reduced the margin to 3-2 six minutes later. Though there were some anxious moments thereafter, the Indians held back their nerves and came up with an equalizer through SK Uthappa in the 66th minute.
Both the teams started the match on an attacking note and after few minutes India earned their first penalty corner but Raghunath failed to score the opener. India got another short corner shortly and this time it was Rupinder Pal Singh who missed the plank. Indian attack continued and this time it was Walmiki’s turn to miss as he missed the pass with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 24th minute.
South Africa came back strongly in the 26th minute and scored the opening goal of the match when Julian Hykes pass was converted by the diving West. India in the counter attack won their 3rd penalty corner but failed to score again. The visitors added 2 goals to their tally before the half time whistle and the hosts were 3-0 down as the last goal against them was due to a big defensive lapse and giving easy opportunities to the Proteas.
The second half saw a different Indian team as they controlled the ball better and there passes meeting the players. The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when Sardar Singh’s brilliant pass was converted in goal by Walmiki. India got their 4th penalty corner shortly and this time Raghunath did not miss and made India come closer to the South African’s tally of goals in the 49th minute.
Proteas came back strongly as they got 3 penalty corners in a span of 4 minutes but failed to convert them into goals. Indian captain Sarvanjit Singh came into act as he tore through the visitor’s defense and gave a pass to Uthappa who scored the equalizer.
“Coming back from 3-0 in the second half is a great achievement. We made some simple technical mistakes and we were a bit complacent in the first half. We had some tough talks after the first half and came back very strongly to equalize,” said Michael Nobbs, Indian coach.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News
