Tactically speaking: India vs South Africa

A close match that was made to look much closer, thanks to loose umpiring. India won the day thanks to their relentless attack and the will to fight till the end. South Africa played a far improved game, thanks to their shock win over Pakistan. They ran India aground with an early goal and spirited play on the frontline but couldn’t hold them back for long.

Where India won it: Mentally stronger. Reversal of fortunes in the second half did not harry them. Their attack came in tides with the right flank moves looking dangerous. The accent on retackling and the bout of passbacks that gave them enough time to plan their entry into the circle was enough to fox SA.

Where South Africa won it: Their goalkeeper Erasmus Pieterse ensured they did not lose the game. The numerous saves that he brought off in the second half showed his grit. On the attack, South Africa tended to mix long hits and deflections with diagonal runs into the circle from either sides. Of course, they were helped a great deal by a shaky Indian defence and their efficiency in penalty corners.

Sparklers: Shivendra Singh, Gurvinder Chandi, Sarwanjit Singh, Justin Reid-Ross, Erasmus Pieterse (GK). Duds: Sandeep Singh, Bharat Chhikara

In the final analysis: India were slow starters yet again. The defence was a mess. Sandeep’s trapping was atrocious while Chhikara over-dribbled upfront when prompt ball release was the key. The architects of India’s recovery were its midfielders and forwards. South Africa lost the plot in the second half although two penalty corner strikes kept the interest alive. The poor umpiring too added to the drama. But India fought back admirably, a trait that had gone missing in recent times.