Team India (Pic credit: Hockey India)
The result was a commanding response from India after their 2-2 draw against Olympic silver medallists China in their opening match. After holding China to a draw in their opener, India have now produced an emphatic statement against South Africa. Their six-goal haul not only gives them a crucial three points but also a significant advantage on goal difference heading into the decisive final pool match. With confidence high and their attacking unit firing, India will now look to carry this momentum into their England clash and seal their place in the next stage. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
Six-goal India put South Africa away
India have a +5 goal difference, while China are on +2, with both teams level on four points. England are third with three points and a +2 goal difference, while South Africa are out of contention after suffering their second defeat. Sakshi Rani’s attempted shot had dribbled towards the far post, where Sunelita was perfectly positioned to make it 1-0. India continued to dictate play and went into the first quarter break with the advantage, despite briefly being reduced to 10 players after Ishika Chaudhary received a green card. India went into half-time 3-0 ahead and firmly in control. Lalremsiami then made it 5-0 in the 44th minute with a stunning reverse hit. Sakshi Rani reacted quickest to the rebound and sent a reverse hit into the top corner to make it 6-0. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines India, however, comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to complete a 6-1 victory.
Sunelita Toppo, Navneet Kaur, Sushila Chanu, Deepika, Lalremsiami and Sakshi Rani were all on target as India registered their biggest-ever win in a World Cup. Kayla de Waal scored South Africa’s lone goal in the final quarter. As it happened: India vs South Africa, Hockey World Cup India now have four points from two matches and sit above China on goal difference. India began with intent and quickly established control of the contest. Their sustained pressure finally paid off in the 11th minute when Sunelita Toppo tapped home from close range after a scramble inside the South African circle. The second quarter saw India turn their dominance into a commanding advantage. Navneet Kaur doubled the lead in the 17th minute by converting India’s second penalty corner with a superb strike. She shifted the angle with a touch before sending a low, powerful effort into the board. India then earned three successive penalty corners before making the third count. Deepika’s drag-flick deflected off the first rusher and fell for Sushila Chanu, whose effort found the net after deflecting off goalkeeper van Tonder. India showed no signs of taking their foot off the pedal after the break. Deepika added a fourth in the 38th minute following a flowing move involving Navneet and Baljeet. The forward controlled it on her backhand and unleashed a fierce tomahawk into the bottom far corner. After receiving an aerial from Neha inside the circle, she cut onto her reverse side and smashed the ball towards the far post, with the effort slipping under the goalkeeper’s foot. India completed their demolition job soon after. Salima found Ishika, whose shot across the goalkeeper struck the post. South Africa finally found a response in the 55th minute when Kayla de Waal tapped in from close range after Pearce’s drag-flick took a deflection off the first rusher. The win puts India in an excellent position in Pool D, but their qualification is not yet mathematically secured. They will face England in their final pool match, knowing that at least a point will guarantee their place in the next round. England currently sit third with three points, while China are level with India on four points. South Africa’s campaign is over after two defeats.
Navneet exchanged quick passes with Baljeet before the latter cut the ball back to Deepika.
NEW DELHI: The Indian women’s hockey team produced a dominant attacking display to crush South Africa 6-1 in their second Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup on Tuesday, moving to the top of the group and taking a major step towards the second round.