Lucknow, Dec 12:
Favourites India maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament and eked out a fighting 2-1 win over a spirited South Africa in their final Pool D match to book a place in the quarterfinals of the men’s Junior Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Astroturf stadium, here today.
India scored both their goals from field efforts through skipper Harjeet Singh (11th minute) and Mandeep Singh (55th), while Kyle Lion-Cachet (28th) found the net for the Africans.
India, thus, finished the pool engagements with possible nine points from three wins and will now face second placed team in Pool C, Spain in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
India started as favourites and the hosts lived up to their billing at least in the opening 20 minutes of the game.
It was a one-way traffic initially as India went all out attacking that forced South Africa to fall back and defend.
The Indians attacked in numbers from the word go but they seemed to fizzle out once inside the opposition circle.
India finally tasted success in the 11th minute when skipper Harjeet scored with a slap shot after being set up by Manpreet (Jr’s) hardwork from the left flank.
Pepped up by the goal, India stepped up the pressure and managed to secure their first penalty corner six minutes later but Harmanpreet Singh’s effort was saved by South African goalkeeper Siyavuya Nolutshungu.
India’s relentless attacks continued as they earned their third penalty corner in the 49th minute, which Nilkanta fumbled to stop but his reverse shot from the second chance was brilliantly saved by the South African goalkeeper. (PTI)
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