CWG: Indian men’s hockey team overcome spirited South Africa in nervy encounter to reach final

The Indian men’s hockey team edged South Africa 3-2 in a thrilling semi-final to qualify for the gold medal match on Monday.

Manpreet Singh’s men were unable to convert their penalty corners at the start of the game, but a superb reverse hit from Abhishek gave them the lead in the second quarter.

Mandeep Singh then doubled India’s lead with another ferocious strike.

But South Africa showed their quality to pull one back in the third quarter.

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The fourth quarter was a nervy affair but India restored their two-goal lead with a penalty corner from Jugraj Singh, who scored with no keeper in goal since the South Africans had opted for an extra outfield player.

While South Africa did score another goal in the dying minutes despite being a man down, India did enough to keep their one-goal advantage and qualify for the gold medal match.