Young drag-flicker Jugraj Singh, playing his second international match, slammed a hat-trick as Olympic bronze medallist India hammered hosts South Africa 10-2 in the men’s FIH Pro League in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. (More Hockey News)
🐽Jugraj converted three penalty corners in the fourth, sixth and 23 minutes, while Gursahibjit Singh (24th, 36th) and Dilpreet Singh (25th, 58th) scored a brace each for India in the opening match of the two-leg tie.
꧒The other goal-getters for the visitors were Harmanpreet Singh (2nd), Abhishek (12th) and Mandeep Singh (27th). South Africa's goals were scored by Daniel Bell (44th) from a penalty corner and a field strike from Richard Pautz (45th).
﷽India's dominance in the match can be gauged from the fact that they earned as many as 12 penalty corners. India had defeated France 5-0 here on Tuesday. The Indians started from where they left against France and completely dominated the first two quarters to race to an 8-0 lead at half time.
🅷The Indians completely dominated the first and second quarters, scoring four goals apiece to take a sizeable lead at halftime.
🔥After the change of ends, India extended their lead but South Africa showed some fight towards the end of the third quarter and scored two goals in a span of one minute to reduce the margin to 2-9.
꧒The fourth and final quarter witnessed a more defensive approach from the Indians as they preferred to sit back and guard their goal, depending more on counter-attacks to surprise South Africa.
𝓀Their ploy yielded result deep into the final quarter when Dilpreet scored his second goal of the day with a fierce reverse hit from the top of the South African circle to make it 10-2 in favour of India. In no time, South Africa secured a penalty corner but the Indians defended well to deny their opponents.
෴The Indians then secured a penalty corner in the next move but Harmanpreet's flick was well defended by South Africa. India earned a penalty corner inside the last five seconds of the match but failed to utilise the opportunity.
ಞIndia will play France in the second match of the two-leg tie on Saturday.
