Bhubaneswar, November 28: India will seek to end a four-decade long drought and capture the title during the Hockey World Cup 2018 starting here from Wednesday (November 28). India's first opponent will be unfancied South Africa and the hosts will be expecting to make a quick work of them before more challenging assignments against Canada and Belgium. Though India vs South Africa can offer some exciting moments.
India did not have a great year missing out on defending their gold at the Asian Games and since they have changed the coach and rung in some changes in the team. So, here's MyKhel Live Blog of India vs South Africa, the hosts' tournament opener.
India began the Hockey World Cup 2018 with a fine 5-0 win over South Africa. It was not all smooth as their PC conversion or the lack of it will be in focus.
India's domination of SA is complete as Simranjeet struck his 2nd goal of the match to make 5-0 for India
GOAL 4: Just before the end of 3rd quarter, Lalit Upadhyay found the target for India.
GOAL 3: Simranjeet made it 3-0 for India in the 43rd minute. It was not neat finish, a scramble. But India will take it.
India still are dominating but they wasted couple of penalty corners.
QUARTER 3 begins. India lead SA 2-0
HALF-TIME: India 2 vs SA 0. But SA gave a better account of themselves in the second quarter. Tigther in defence and made a few forays into Indian territory.
In the last couple of minutes SA made a couple of decent moves but Indian defence has been up to the task
India nearly made 3-0 but SA defenders this time did a good job in blocking the Penalty corner
QUARTER 2 begins. India lead 2-0 and in absolute domination.
END OF QUARTER 1 and India lead South Africa 2-0.
GOAL 2: Lovely finish by Akashdeep. And India have 82% possession and that's massive.
GOAL 1: India converts a PC in the 10th minute. Mandeep Singh sounded the board.
Akashdeep and Manpreet almost got India in front there but for bit of modest finishing
India are on the move in the first few seconds - quick and attacking
Anthems are being played. Match is a few seconds away. Brace up people
Belgium vs Canada match in 4th quarter and the scoreline is 2-1 in favour of Belgium.
Canada and Belgium are locked in a battle of Group C and at HT Belgium, the No 3 side in the world, are leading 2-0. India's match is still an hour away. 7 pm and it will be live on Star Sports Networks