India beat South Africa 7-4 in Champions Challenge hockey

November 28, 2011 | Sports | Written by

Johannesburg, Nov 28: India defeated South Africa 7-4 in their second Pool A match of the Champions Challenge hockey here Sunday.

South Africa’s Justin Reid-Ross (7th minute) opened the scoring before Sandeep Singh (13th, 35th), and Sarvanjit Singh (29th) gave India a 3-1 lead by the half-time. But South Africa, egged on by the home support, bounced back in the second half.

Marvin Harper (38th) cut down the margin before Indian captain Tushar Khandekar (41st) increased the lead to 4-2. Miguel de Garcia (45th) and Tim Drummond (49th) levelled the scores before India slammed three more goals in as many minutes to break the deadlock.

S.V. Sunil (55, 57th) scored while Rupinder Pal Singh struck through a penalty stroke in the 56th minute and the hosts, stunned by the blitz, could not recover.

India saved the best until last and turned on the style in front of the biggest crowd of the day.

The match was in the balance into the final quarter with South Africa continually fighting their way back.

Gareth Carr, South Africa defender, is hopeful of returning to the fray Tuesday after receiving 14 stitches in two head wounds when he was hit by an Indian stick.

India had drawn 3-3 with Belgium in the first match.

IANS