Bhubaneswar: India began its Hockey World Cup-2018 campaign on a winning note by thrashing South Africa 5-0 at the Kalinga Stadium here this evening.
Manpreet Singh gave the first goal for the host nation in the 9th minute. Akashdeep Singh then netted the ball in the 12th minute before the end of the first quarters.
India’s lead continued with three back to back goals by Simranjeet Singh (43 & 46) and Lalit Upadhyay (45).
Simranjeet Singh was declared the ‘Player of the Match’ for his two goals. He received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 from the Hockey legend, Ajitpal Singh.
🏑 | POTM | Simranjeet Singh | @TheHockeyIndia#HWC2018 #Odisha2018
🇮🇳 #INDvRSA 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/IBMTc2twEy— Hockey World Cup 2018 – Host Partner (@sports_odisha) November 28, 2018
India will next face Belgium in its Pool-B match on December 2. The match is going to be a high-voltage one as Belgium also outplayed Canada by 2-1 in the opening match of Hockey World Cup-2018 earlier today.
Also Read: Belgium Beat Canada 2-1 In The Opening Game Of Hockey World Cup-2018