India fight back to claim Test series against South Africa
Biswajyoti Brahma, TNN
NEW DELHI: South Africa drew first blood, but India had the last laugh. The hosts came from a goal behind to down South Africa 4-3 in the fourth hockey ‘Test’ and win the series 3-1 with a match to go at the National Stadium on Friday.
The hosts played like two different teams in either side of the halves – the first half saw them playing a subdued game which was followed by some real fast action in the second. Michael Nobbs’ players were slow off the block, literally allowing South Africans to dictate terms early on. When South Africa went for the breather with a 1-0 lead, the goal coming from Justin Reid Ross in the 14th minute, it seemed all over for the hosts.
But they had other plans. With some smart counter attacks, India made regular inroads into the rival defence and rattled them with three quick goals in a span of nine minutes. Yuvraj Walmiki started the spree with a field goal in the 44th minute. This was followed by VR Raghunath’s penalty corner conversion in the 50th minute. Walmiki’s second goal of the match, three minutes later, ensured India they had a 3-1 lead.
“In a match, you should wear down your opposition. That’s what we did today,” said coach Nobbs. “We managed to penetrate into their circle 37 times in the match.”
South Africa tried hard to come back into the match and they even managed to score one in the 54th minute through Ian Haley to raise prospects of a possible comeback. SK Uthappa, however, put the hosts in a better position two minutes later with a field goal. Even though, Lloyd Madsen scored South Africa’s third goal in the 64th minute, the Indians held on to their lead to emerge victorious.
The series win must have come as a boost for the hosts ahead of the all-important Olympic qualifiers in the Capital next month, but Nobbs knows that there are areas which need improvement – especially trapping, tackling and defence.
The fifth and final match of the series will be played on Sunday at 2.30 pm.