India beat S Africa in third test
La Albericia (Spain). The Indian hockey team defeated South Africa 6-5 in a thrilling third test at the capital city of Cantabria.
Strikers Shivendra Singh (13th, 38th minutes), Dharamvir Singh (19th, 21st), Tushar Khandker (36th) and penalty corner specialist VR Raghunath (53rd) were on target for India.
The goal-scorers for South Africa last night were Austin Smith (17th, 69th), Tim Drummond (42nd), Ian Haley (48th) and Justin Ried Ross (67th).
India led 3-1 at the half-time whistle and scored three more in the last 35 minutes, but a spirited South Africa turned the match into a nail-biter by finding the target four times in the second half.
Shivendra put India ahead in the 13th minute, scoring a field goal. South Africa — who qualified for the London Olympics winning the last qualifier at Kakamigahara in Japan – equalised four minutes later through Smith, who converted a penalty stroke.
The South Africans had once brought the scores level to 1-1 when India skipper and goalkeeper Bharat Chetri was yellow-carded for a dangerous challenge on Marvin Harper. Lloyd Madsen converted the resultant penalty corner by beating the Indian defender Ignace Tirkey who was in the goal post while Chetri was suspended for 10 minutes.
