Thaindian News

Johannesburg, Dec 3 (IANS) Sandeep Singh scored a brace as India Saturday thwarted a spirited challenge by South Africa 4-2 in a fast-paced hockey match to move into the final of the Champions Challenge tournament here.

India will meet Belgium in the title contest Sunday. Belgium defeated Argentina 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the scores were level 2-2 in regulation period and extra-time.

South Africa began with a flurry of moves before Timothy Drummond struck in the eighth minute. India stepped up the attack and V.R. Raghunath equalised through a penalty corner conversion in the 14th minute.

The home team went 2-1 up with a strike from Thornton McDade in the 22nd minute.

Sarvanjit Singh levelled the score five minutes into the second half.

It was then Sandeep who put India ahead with two brilliant penalty corner strikes in the 45th and 50th minute.

Both teams played fast and exciting hockey to entertain the small crowd. There was no dull moment in the match as the two teams showed energy and intent to score.

South Africa set the tempo early and were relentless in their attacks, prising open the Indian defence. A speedy move saw Drummond making the most of the pass from Marvin Harper.

Rattled by the goal, India showed urgency and put pressure on South Africa. Raghunath struck with a clean hit to equalise.

India would have got the lead, but a diving Danish Mujtaba failed to connect a cross near the goalmouth.

South Africa got back the lead with McDade’s strike and led 2-1 in the half-time.

Sarvanjit was well positioned to level the score in the second half. It was then Sandeep’s brilliance with the drag flicks that slammed the door against South Africa. The powerful strikes, one pasted to the left corner and the other to the right of goalkeeper Pieterse Erasmus, came in a space of five minutes.

Indian goalkeeper Bharat Chettri made some good saves in the end to keep South Africa at bay.