India men’s hockey team continued their dominant journey on the South African tour with a resounding 3-0 victory over the hosts in Cape Town on Friday. Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the charge with an early goal, while Abhishek and Sumit added their names to the scoresheet later on, securing a comfortable win for the world No. 3 team.
From the get-go, India asserted their dominance. Within two minutes, Harmanpreet stepped up for an early penalty corner and unleashed a powerful dragflick that left the South African goalkeeper helpless. Soon after, Abhishek capitalized on a swift attacking move to double India’s lead in the first quarter.
Despite facing persistent attacks from the 14th-ranked South Africans, India’s defense stood firm. Their resolute wall denied any goals for the hosts in the second quarter, while Sumit further extended India’s lead with a brilliant field goal just before halftime.
India Hockey Team vs South Africa
Heading into the second half, South Africa came out with renewed intensity, bombarding the Indian defense. However, the visitors remained unshakable, thwarting every scoring opportunity. The cagey third quarter ended with no change in the scoreline, highlighting both teams’ defensive prowess.
The final 15 minutes saw the hosts desperately push for a consolation goal, but India’s stronghold in the circle remained impenetrable. As the final whistle blew, India triumphantly celebrated their comfortable 3-0 victory.
This win keeps India’s winning streak on the South African tour alive, setting them up perfectly for their final challenge against world No. 1 Netherlands on Sunday. The Cape Town clash promises to be an exciting encounter, testing India’s mettle against the hockey giants.
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