Hockey World Cup 2018 India vs South Africa highlights: India beat South Africa 5-0

Men's Hockey World Cup 2018 LIVE Updates India vs South Africa: India start their campaign at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 on a high after a dominating 5-0 win against South Africa. It was a complete performance by the hosts, Simranjeet Singh was awarded Player of Match for scoring a brace. Highlights of the India vs South Africa match on ABPLive.in

बैकग्राउंड

Armed with a sense of togetherness, self- belief and a strong crowd backing them every moment, India will seek to end 43 years of hurt when they begin the Hockey World Cup campaign against South Africa at Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The hosts' Pool C encounter at the Kalinga Stadium will be the showpiece event's second game. Eight-time Olympic champions India's only glory at the World Cup came way back in 1975 when Ajit Pal Singh and his men's created history for the past masters of the game. Since then India has failed to match the standards of the Europeans -- Netherlands, Germany -- and Australia, who have been ruling the game for over four decades now. In the last 10 editions since its maiden triumph in 1975, India's best performance was a fifth-place finish at the 1982 edition in Mumbai (then Bombay). Now, World no. 5 India, would be eager to recreate the magic by reaching the semifinals, and possibly a podium finish. That is though easier said than done as besides tackling powerhouses like two-time defending champions Australia, Netherlands, Germany and Olympic champions Argentina, the Indians will be under pressure to live up to the expectations of millions of fans. The last time India played a World Cup at home, in 2010 in New Delhi, it finished a lowly eighth and going by records, the host nation has never fared well in the tournament. All the nine countries to host a World Cup till date have finished eighth or above but Harendra Singh's men would be hoping to rewrite that in front of home fans. For chief coach Harendra Singh, who has come under the scanner after India's failure to defend its Asian Games title earlier this year, the tournament is a do-or-die one and a failure is sure to cost him his job. Harendra would be hoping to recreate the magic of two years ago when he guided the junior Indian team to the World Cup title in Lucknow. To achieve his goal, Harendra has drafted in seven of 18 junior World Cup winners in the senior team alongside senior pros like skipper Manpreet Singh, PR Sreejesh, Akashdeep Singh and the ever-reliable Birendra Lakra. The Indian team for the World Cup is a mixture of youth and experience with seven of the 18 featuring in the last World Cup. The squad also has youthful exuberance in 19-year-old striker Dilpreet Singh and debutant Hardik Singh. But two notable absentees from the squad are dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who has been dropped and striker SV Sunil, who is unfit. In the 16-nation tournament India are placed alongside South Africa, Belgium and Canada in their group. Barring world no. 3 Belgium, India are expected to win hands down against world no. 15 South Africa and world no. 11 Canada. The match against Belgium is India's big test in the pool stages and a win against the Red Lions is a must for the hosts to avoid the cross-overs and qualify directly for the quarterfinals. After South Africa, India's opponents are Belgium on December 2 and Canada on December 8. It is only the second World Cup after 2002 to feature 16 teams. From four pools of four teams each, the toppers will directly qualify for the quarterfinals while the second and third placed sides will have to play four cross-over matches to earn their places in the last-eight round. Just like all big-ticket hockey events, Australia, Netherlands and Germany will once again start favourites to lift the title. The Kookaburras, in fact, will be vying to create history by becoming the first team to win the trophy for the third time in a row. In the other match of the opening day, Belgium will take on Canada.

28/11/2018 20:37:12

India's Simranjeet Singh has been awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. he scored 2 goals in the match and played a part in India's two other goals.

28/11/2018 20:35:00

India's Simranjeet Singh has been awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. he scored 2 goals in the match and played a part in India's two other goals.

28/11/2018 20:30:02

That's it, the fireworks are off at the Kalinga Stadium! India have beaten South Africa 5-0 in their opening match of the World Cup.

28/11/2018 20:29:09

A successful use of the referral by India. No penalty corner for South Africa. India still lead by 5-0 with seconds to go for the final whistle

28/11/2018 20:27:43

With the victory almost in their hands, Team India slow down the tempo on the turf as they try to tide over the minutes remaining in the game.

28/11/2018 20:25:42

With the victory almost in their hands, Team India slow down the tempo on the turf as they try to tide over the minutes remaining in the game.

28/11/2018 20:24:49

Rohidas is down and he is limping off the field assisted by the Indian physio. We hope it's nothing serious

28/11/2018 20:19:58

The rampaging Indian forwards are giving no respite to the South African defenders. Don't be surprised if you see more goals

28/11/2018 20:14:51

GREAT SAVE by the South African captain. It was sure shot goal but he flies to his left and evades danger.

28/11/2018 20:14:05

Another penalty corner for India, can they make it 6-0 here?

28/11/2018 20:13:29

Another penalty corner for India, can they make it 6-0 here?

28/11/2018 20:10:49

Another penalty corner for India, can they make it 6-0 here?

28/11/2018 20:09:43

That's the end of the 3rd quarter at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar

28/11/2018 20:07:23

GOAL for India!
Akashdeep with the assistance and Lalit with the goal. Superb stuff by India, they have taken a 4-0 lead over South Africa now only 16 minutes to go.

28/11/2018 20:06:19

GOAL for India!
Akashdeep with the assistance and Lalit with the goal. Superb stuff by India, they have taken a 4-0 lead over South Africa now only 16 minutes to go.

28/11/2018 20:04:42

GOAL! Simranjeet scores for India. What a counter-attack by India, after saving the penalty corner Indian midfield penetrates the South African defence and Simranjeet with the final touch. It's India 3-0 South Africa

28/11/2018 20:02:13

PENALTY CORNER for South Africa! Huge moment in match

28/11/2018 20:01:47

A great counter-attack through the left-flank by Simranjeet but lack of supports means India would not get their third goal.

28/11/2018 19:59:26

The ball is passed around the midfield by Team India as they try their best to avoid turning over the ball to a South African team bursting with newfound aggression.

28/11/2018 19:56:45

36 minutes into the match. South Africa have started to gain grounds considerably. India need to regain composure here. India 2-0 South Africa

28/11/2018 19:54:11

India waste their 3rd penalty corner! A rare of concentration.

28/11/2018 19:50:51

The second half begins! South Africa straight away in the attack. India fall back a little.

28/11/2018 19:46:06

The second half begins! South Africa straight away in the attack. India fall back a little.

28/11/2018 19:45:31

The second half begins! South Africa straight away in the attack. India fall back a little.

28/11/2018 19:40:04

HALF-TIME!
The hooter goes off, the first of the two. India have still managed to hold on to their 2-0 lead. No goals in the 2nd quarter but South Africa have slowly managed to claw their back in the match.

28/11/2018 19:36:19

Substitution for India, three players coming in. Coach Harendra Singh injecting fresh legs. Remember, unlimited substitution is allowed in hockey.

28/11/2018 19:34:33

First real attack from South Africa but Indian keeper Sreejesh up to the task, a brilliant save. It's still India 2-0 South Africa.

28/11/2018 19:33:24

23' South Africa fall deep, allowing India to attack more. Not sure that's the right strategy when you are 0-2 down

28/11/2018 19:28:10

19'
South Africa evade danger. India tried a variation in the 2nd penalty corner of the match. Amit Rohidas drilled it in but great job by the South African defence.

28/11/2018 19:27:00

PENALTY CORNER for India!

28/11/2018 19:26:35

2nd Quarter
India start the 2nd quarter on a great note. Akashdeep, Mandeep and Manpreet are functioning like a well-oiled machine

28/11/2018 19:24:46

2nd Quarter
India start the 2nd quarter on a great note. Akashdeep, Mandeep and Manpreet are functioning like a well-oiled machine

28/11/2018 19:18:05

GOAL!
Two goals in two minutes for India. This time its Akashdeep with a lovely interception. A dream start for India. It's India 2-0 South Africa

28/11/2018 19:16:06

GOAL for India!
It has taken India only 10 minutes to get on the scoresheets. Mandeep wit the first goal for India in the World Cup. The penalty corner was blocked by the South African keeper but Mandeep was there to collect the rebound. It's India 1-0 South Africa

28/11/2018 19:13:05

PENALTY CORNER for India!

28/11/2018 19:12:31

India have asked for a referral, possibly looking for a block from a South African defender.

28/11/2018 19:11:01

9'
Great combination between Manpreet and Aakash but Dilpreet fails to trap the ball inside the D. India inching closer to their first goal with each passing minute.

28/11/2018 19:09:44

7'
What a great run from Lalit but he fails to beat the South African keeper but none the less, India are all over South Africa at the moment.

28/11/2018 19:06:43

3'
3 minutes into the game India have already hurled the attacks on the South African goal. That surely has got the crowd going.

28/11/2018 19:04:25

The referee blows the whistle and the action begins with a huge roar from the capacity crowd at the Kalinga Stadium. South Africa with the ball. India attacking from right to left and what an exciting start from India great combination between Dilpreet and Aakash.

28/11/2018 18:58:39

The referee blows the whistle and the action begins with a huge roar from the capacity crowd at the Kalinga Stadium. South Africa with the ball. India attacking from right to left and what an exciting start from India great combination between Dilpreet and Aakash.

28/11/2018 18:55:09

“Our preparations have been good going into the tournament. India will be under pressure, lots of nerves, our aim is to score more goals than them,” says South African head coach.

28/11/2018 18:52:05

Wishes poured in for the Indian side before their first match in the Hockey World Cup against South Africa

Wishes poured in for the Indian side before their first match in the Hockey World Cup against South Africa

Wishes poured in for the Indian side before their first match in the Hockey World Cup against South Africa

Wishes poured in for the Indian side before their first match in the Hockey World Cup against South Africa

Wishes poured in for the Indian side before their first match in the Hockey World Cup against South Africa

28/11/2018 18:42:57

Stats & Trivia
1) India are hosting its second World Cup in eight years.
2) The 2018 edition will be the first time the World Cup will be a massive 16-team event.
3) India are ranked 5th in the world and the only Asian team in the top 10 at the moment.
4) It has won eight Olympic gold medals, but the country has managed to win the World Cup only once, way back in 1975, the third edition of the tournament.
5) India, placed in Group C, have an upper hand over their opponents South Africa. South Africa are ranked 15th in while India are No.5.

28/11/2018 18:32:57

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the India vs South Africa Hockey World Cup Group C match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.