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| Hockey India |
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.
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 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.
The result was a commanding response from India after their 2-2 draw against Olympic silver medallists China in their opening match.
India turn pressure into goals
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.
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.
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 went into half-time 3-0 ahead and firmly in control.
Six-goal India put South Africa away
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.
Navneet exchanged quick passes with Baljeet before the latter cut the ball back to Deepika. The forward controlled it on her backhand and unleashed a fierce tomahawk into the bottom far corner.
Lalremsiami then made it 5-0 in the 44th minute with a stunning reverse hit. 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. Sakshi Rani reacted quickest to the rebound and sent a reverse hit into the top corner to make it 6-0.
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.
.India, however, comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to complete a 6-1 victory.
India need one point against England
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.
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.
- TOI Sports Desk
