India vs South Africa: Pool C match: Highlights

India defeated minnows South Africa 5-0 to open their campaign on a rousing note in the Men's Hockey World Cup 2018 on Wednesday.

Image Credits: Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia

India on Wednesday defeated minnows South Africa 5-0 to open their campaign on a rousing note in the 14th edition of the Men's Hockey World Cup.

India scored five goals with attacker Mandeep Singh opening the account early on. Akashdeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay also scored a goal apiece.

However, Simranjeet Singh was the man to watch out for, scoring two goals in a sensational performance.   

While the Indian strikers were on target, the defenders further produced an excellent performance in the heart of defence to keep the opposition under control. 

Here are the highlights: 

# India 5-0 South Africa! 

# The hosts have been extremely dominant in the clash which certainly reflects in the final scoreline as India romp home in a 5-0 win!  

# About four minutes to go in the clash with the visitors looking to knock in their opening goal! 

# The attackers have been in prime form with the defenders further ensuring an excellent performance at every stage. The scoreline certainly reflects the dominance of Team India on the field! 

# India seem set to knock in their sixth goal with just nine minutes left for the clash to end! Mandeep Singh has been in prime form, which augurs well for the rest of the tournament! 

# India 5-0 South Africa! 

# There seems to be no end to the misery of the visitors as India knock in a fifth goal following a second goal by Simranjeet Singh who has been sensational to say the least! 

# India are 4-0 up at the end of the third quarter! 

# 4th goal for the hosts following an inch-perfect shot by Lalit Upadhyay with just a few seconds to go for the end of the third quarter! 

# India 3-0 up with about a minute to go!

# India knock in their third goal against South Africa as Simranjeet Singh converts a beautiful opportunity created by Mandeep Singh! 

# Nearly 3 minutes left for the third quarter to end in a clash which has been largely one-sided so far! 

# India continue to dominate against South Africa and will be looking to build on their 2-0 lead!   

# The third quarter is underway! 

The Legend Dhanraj Pillay takes us through India’s second goal by @akashdeeps985, giving a big thumbs up to the variation at the opening match of the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 against @SA_Hockey.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvRSA pic.twitter.com/5CY8xD3i5h — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

When the architect of modern hockey Dhanraj Pillay comes out himself to cheer the men in blue in their opening campaign of the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 against South Africa on 28th November#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvRSA pic.twitter.com/bYLs3SKEWk — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

# India continue to lead 2-0 at halftime with 8 shots at goal in comparison to a single shot by South Africa which indicates the dominance of the hosts!  

# The visitors have struggled to assert themselves despite pushing the hosts at every stage! India seem all set to go into half-time with a 2-0 lead! 

# Nearly a third for India as Nilakanta Sharma attempts a fine shot from the edge of the box but fails to convert! 

# Nearly four minutes left for the end of the second quarter! 

# South Africa attempt to break on the counter following a rare mistake by the defenders but Indian goalkeeper P.Sreejesh makes no mistakes, pulling off a fine save to deny the opponents! 

# However, the defenders make no mistakes as India dominate yet again! 

# The ball is cleared by the South African goalkeeper, setting the stage for a counterattack! 

# Penalty corner for India yet again as India look to make it 3-0! 

# The second quarter is underway! 

# India are 2-0 up at the end of the first quarter and will be looking to push home the advantage! 

# India are leading 2-0 against South Africa following a stunning goal by Akashdeep Singh who converts an opportunity created in a sensational fashion! The hosts were expected to dominate and they have ensured nothing short of that! 

# India 1-0 South Africa

# Goal! Mandeep Singh scores the opener for India off a rebound as the players celebrate a much-deserved goal

# India have won a penalty corner and seem all set to score the opener

Join us in applauding Vice-Captain @chinglensana29 for his contributions to Indian hockey, as the midfielder crosses a milestone of 200 appearances with the team on 28th November 2018.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/GiSgIjfpmf — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

# India off to a strong start as the defenders attempt to get the ball up front from the very first minute. The hosts will be looking to make their presence felt in this opening clash, setting the stage for the rest of the tournament. 

Here’s the Starting XI of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team who will begin their campaign at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 against South Africa on 28th November 2018.

Get match updates in the comments section below.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/0Kmxncp4Uh — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

Khoon pasina hoga ek,
Jeetney ke liye lagani hogi jaan,
Har mukkam karna hoga fateh,
Takk pe hai desh ka samman!
Kadey faisley lene honge kai,
Thode galat, zyaadatar sahi,
Har kahani ke parey, ek ehsas hai baki,
Ab hoga harr hindustani ka #DilHockey!#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 pic.twitter.com/HQxJq8H7jr — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

Every voice counts! These South African fans have made a long journey to the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, but their team is sure to appreciate the boost that their support will provide.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvRSA pic.twitter.com/0kgDdIGFGp — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

Best wishes to Team India for the #HWC2018 commencing in Bhubaneswar, Odisha today. I believe in you, the nation believes in you. Go get ‘em. Chak de, India! #HumBhiHockey pic.twitter.com/3tX8HVWhEg — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 28, 2018

Chief Coach @HarendraSingh66 shares the importance of winning the World Cup title.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/FFOpyHmumM — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

.@16Sreejesh describes his relationship with Chief Coach @HarendraSingh66 and tells us how he got to the point to represent India at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, which could prove to be his most important challenge yet.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/szgGxaWcaP — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

| An Indian hockey fan gets her colours at the Fan Village inside Kalinga Stadium. #HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #DeshKeNaam @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/C1kxOgJyDA — Hockey World Cup 2018 - Host Partner (@sports_odisha) November 28, 2018

India and South Africa are all set to battle it out on Wednesday in the second match of the Men's Hockey World Cup 2018.

The eight-time Olympic champions had last lifted the World Cup trophy back in 1975 following a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. 

While India are currently ranked fifth in the standings, South Africa are occupying the fifteenth spot. 

Interestingly, all the nine countries who have hosted a World Cup so far failed to register any better than an eight-place finish. 

Coach Harendra Singh will be eager to rewrite history and prove the critics wrong following a dissapointing run in the 2018 Asian Games.

The tournament will feature a total of 16 teams divided in four pools of four teams each, with defending champions Australia going in as firm favourites.While the pool toppers will earn direct entry into the quarterfinals, the second and third placed teams will have to earn their place via play-offs.

The two squads are as follows:

India: PR Sreejesh, Krishna Bahadur Pathak, Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Varun Kumar, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh (C), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Sumit, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Simranjeet Singh.

South Africa: Tim Drummond (C), Dayaan Cassiem, Taylor Dart, Tyson Dlungwana, Jethro Eustice, Rhett Halkett, Tommy Hammond, Keenan Horne, Julian Hykes, Gowan Jones, Peabo Lembethe, Mo Mea, Bili Ntuli, Taine Paton, Richard Pautz, Rassie Pieterse, Austin Smith and Nic Spooner