New Delhi: India registered a comprehensive 4-0 win against the South Africans in the first game of the Five-match Hockey Test Series at Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium here on Monday.
India struck early with three goals in the first half through Shivendra Singh (15th), Birendra Lakra (24th) and Sardara Singh (28th), while SK Uthappa hammered the final nail in South Africa's coffin with a strike in the 53rd minute.
India started off on an attacking note from the word go and utilised both the flanks to build their attacks. India earned two penalty corners in the first half but squandered their chances as V Raghunath failed to stop Sarvanjit Singh's push on the first occasion while it was South Africa goalkeeper Erasmns Pieterse denied India to convert the second.
But in the 15th minute Shivendra Singh found the plank after receiving a pass from Manpreet Singh and nine minutes later, Birendra Lakra made it 2-0 after he was given a brilliant pass through a move created by Chingelsana and S V Sunil from the left flank. The Indians made it 3-0 in the 28th minute through captain Sardara Singh who received the ball from S V Sunil's from the right.
After the breather, South Africans seemed to be a better side, but poor finishing let them down. Some brilliant saves by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh also helped the Indian cause.
India coach, Michael Nobbs in the post-match conference, stated that winning was not as important as getting the combination right for the all-important Olympic qualifiers.
“We could have scored seven or eight goals, but the score-line is not important. At present, out focus is to get to a combination that can help India qualify for the Olympics.”
South Africa coach Gregg Clark rued the chances missed and was concerned about the “lack of penalty corners”.
“India were the better side but the lack of penalty corners and some lapses in the defence hurt us badly.”
By Rajorshi Moitra
Indian Sports News