Hockey World Cup: Five-star India thrash South Africa in opener

A great start by India. Winning by 5-0 against South Africans who tried their best but just didn't have that requisite class. Tougher challenges are yet to come but for now Indians can rejoice. 

Simranjeet scored brace, Mandeep, Akashdeep and Lalit scored a goal apiece ensuring India won by 5 goals. 

India just happy to keep possession in the final few minutes of the match. 

Great attack from South Africa. Sreejesh just about manages to keep it out. Can they get a consolation goal? 

Wow! A moment of magic from Mandeep. Toys with defenders as he dodges past them with ease. Just couldn't manage to finally score though. 

Goal!!! Another one for India. Simranjeet scores of rebound from a penalty corner. The green shirts are clearly now crumbling as India dodge past them. 

Two quick goals in the third quarter by India. First Simranjeet and then Lalit add to the India's kitty. 

43' GOAL! @mandeepsingh995's quick run and cross into the circle are perfectly timed for Simranjeet to finish. India lead by 3!

IND 3-0 RSA#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvRSA pic.twitter.com/sVFlcZYJqa

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

45' GOAL! @akashdeeps985's comes into play as he delivers a deep ball into the circle with just power on it speed for @lalithockey to deflect into the goal.

IND 4-0 RSA#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvRSA pic.twitter.com/Rl0UC2bksu

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

Commentators all praise for Akashdeep. Gets the ball so perfectly for Lalit.  

The third quarter looks to be completely a different match. South Africans are trying desperately to get a goal. Got a penalty corner but Indians just managed to hang around. It is a much better exchange compared to the absolute Indian domination in the first two quarters. 

India up 2-0 after half time. 

20' Simranjeet is proving his effectiveness as his agility allows him to play an essential part in the forwards' build-up play.

IND 2-0 RSA#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvRSA

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

27' BIG CHANCE! Hardik starts off a move with an incisive pass into the circle that finds Nilakanta, who combines with Sumit to make a shot on goal.

IND 2-0 RSA#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvRSA

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

Some good build up but Indians failing to increase the lead.  

South Africa playing slightly better in the second quarter. They are trying to break free against non-stop Indian attack. But Indians look too strong in the counter attack. South Africa indeed have their task cut-out. 

First quarter ends. India 2-0 up. Complete domination from the men in blue shirts. They have attacked from the flanks, and also from centre. One goal came from penalty corner, one from field. India has had four shots in goal so far, and an impressive 67% domination of possession. 

Goal! Now Akashdeep joins the party. A brilliant field goal, where Akashdeep was ready to latch onto the ball and seamlessly put it in the goal. 

Goal!!!! India get their first goal in the 9th minute.  India successfully challenges to get a penalty corner. Mandeep scores of the rebound. Slightly chaotic goal but India will take it. Always a great feeling to score the first goal. 

Lovely stick play from Lalit to get inside the box,but just can't seal the deal. Still 0-0 after 7 minutes 

Tremendous crowd support for Indians. Mandeep gives a brilliant pass for Manpreet, but the deflection just evades the goal. Good press from India in the early minutes. 

Lakhra not playing. Early pressure given by India. Clearly they mean business and want to get in the board quickly. Dilpreet and Akashdeep look to get the action rolling.