Desperate India aim to losing streak against SAfrica

New Delhi: Out of contention for a top-five finish after three consecutive defeats, India would be desperate to end their losing streak when they take on lowly but spirited South Africa in their last pool B match of the hockey World Cup.

A win against South Africa tomorrow will not only give the ardent hockey fans something to cheer about but also secure India`s place in the seventh-eighth place play-off match, which would definitely be a considerable improvement from their 11th place finish in the 2006 World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany.However, achieving it won`t be a cake-walk as South Africa are on a high after registering their first-ever victory in the World Cup. After stunning Pakistan 4-3 in their last match, the Proteas would be looking for another upset and going by their performance in the last encounter, the possibility is not a distant dream.The Indians don`t seem to have learnt from their past mistakes as for the third consecutive match, the home team committed the same blunders which put paid to their hopes in the tournament. PTI