India run through South Africa

The inevitable goal came when Dhanraj Pillay produced a defence-splitting pass to Gagan Ajit Singh, who blasted the ball past goalkeeper Brian Myburgh. India went further ahead after 34 minutes when Baljit Dhillon cracked the ball home. It was a just reward for Dhillon, who played a key role in many of India’s forays.

South Africa attacked with greater purpose in the second period, but were unable to penetrate the rock-like Indian defence. India should have extended their lead when Depak Sonkhla, unmarked, received a superb pass from Dhillon, but was unable to control it. However, Dhillon was on target again in the 68th minute when he made no mistake with a penalty stroke which left Myburgh floundering.

Indian coach Vasudevan Baskaran said despite the scoreline it had been a hard game, and the most important feature was that the side was continuing to improve. “There was a lot of flow in the game and we did not make many errors,” he said. “That was probably the best part.” He said he was not concerned India did not score until well into the first half. “We knew we were going to get goals,” he said.

He said India’s stubborn defending in the game, following the superb defensive effort against Australia, was the result of a plan to improve that area of their game. “For the past four months we have been working on defence, and it has been good here, just as it was in the four-nation tournament in Sydney last week.”

South African coach Giles Bonnet conceded his team deserved to lose, but not by a margin of three goals. “A fair reflection of the match might have been a 2-1 result for India, but not 3-0,” he said.

He said India’s performance was terrific, and he had never seen them play better defensively. “If India can hold that structure together, they are going to be a very formidable team. They are looking so well balanced.”