Hockey WC 2023: India eyes dominance against South Africa
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Playing as a linkman, Akashdeep Singh proved that he is the backbone of India’s attack in the ongoing 15th FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, scoring two goals, creating goal attacks and converting penalty corners. Despite being out of India’s medal contention, Akashdeep Singh showed that he can play according to the mood of the match. India thrashed reigning Asian Games champions Japan by a thumping 8-0 margin at the Birasamunda Stadium in Rourkela on Thursday to book their ninth to 12th place clash with South Africa in Rourkela on Saturday.
India has the upper hand against South Africa so far. In the 2012 Olympics, India has won 11 of their matches against South Africa except losing 2-3 only once and the match between the two has been drawn thrice. India has so far played a 2-2 draw with South Africa in the 1994 World Cup and 3-3 in 2010. India won the match against South Africa 5-0 in the 2018 World Cup here and 1-0 in 2006.
India beat South Africa 3-2 in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and 10-2 at home in the FIH Pro League at their home in Potchefstroom. India will be eyeing a win against South Africa on Saturday to maintain its supremacy against them. If India wins on Saturday, it will be its third win against South Africa in the history of the World Cup. It will not be easy for India but after getting its tone, there is every hope of its victory.
If India are to win, they will have to be wary of Nakubi Ntuli (2) and Bradley Sherwood on the roving striker along with South Africa’s Mustafa brothers-Qasim and Dylan. It is a good thing for India that of late its front line including Akashdeep, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, Raj Kumar Pal has come into color. The best part was that captain Harmanpreet Singh took six of the 11 penalty corners India got against Japan and scored two of them with a drag-flick and one of his attempts was scored by Vivek Sagar Prasad on the rebound. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored the maximum three goals from penalty corners while Akashdeep Singh, Abhishek and Sukhjit Singh scored two goals each in India’s total of 17 goals scored in 5 matches so far.
South Africa finished fourth and last in their Pool A losing all three matches before beating Malaysia 6-3 in the qualifying match on Thursday. On the other hand, Malaysia grabbed everyone’s attention by showing amazing spirit before losing to Spain in the shootout in the crossover with the second place in Pool C.
Saturday’s Ranking Match
Birsamunda Stadium, Rourkela
For 9th to 12th position: Bharat V.D. Africa (from 7 pm)
Argentina vs Wales (4:30 PM onwards)
13th to 16th place
Malaysia vs Japan (11.30 am)
France v. Chile (2 PM IST)
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