Men's FIH Hockey World Cup 2023: India beat South Africa 5-2 to finish ninth

The Indian hockey team finished its campaign at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 on a winning note with a 5-2 victory over South Africa at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday.

As a result of the win, India finished ninth at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 and South Africa ranked 11th. India had beaten Japan 8-0 in their previous classification match after losing to New Zealand in the crossovers for the quarter-finals. 

Indian forward Abhishek, who was the player of the match against Japan, opened the scoring in the 5th minute. He also won the player of the match award against South Africa.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh (12’), Shamsher Singh (45’), Akashdeep Singh (49’) and Sukhjeet Singh (59’) added to India’s tally while Samkelo Mvimbi (49’) and Mustaphaa Cassiem (60’) scored for South Africa

The Indian side was dominant in the first quarter with Abhishek and Harmanpreet Singh getting on the scoresheet. South Africa were not far behind in creating chances but lacked finishing touches despite multiple circle penetrations. 

After a quiet second quarter, South Africa earned back-to-back penalty corners in the first three minutes of the second half. The African side, however, was denied by Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak. 

India snatched back the momentum quickly and tripled their lead in the final minute of the third quarter through Shamsher Singh’s field goal.

Veteran striker Akashdeep Singh scored India’s fourth goal of the night four minutes into the fourth quarter. South Africa pulled one back within seconds through Samkelo Mvimbi’s high shot into the net.

India restored their four-goal lead with Sukhjeet Singh pouncing on Akashdeep Singh’s rebound in the penultimate minute of the match. PR Sreejesh, who replaced Krishan Bahadur Pathak in alternate quarters, conceded a penalty stroke in his attempt to block South African captain Dayaan Cassiem from a one-on-one position. Mustaphaa Cassiem then scored South Africa’s second goal in the final minute of the game.

Earlier at the hockey World Cup 2023, India finished second in Pool D behind England. After failing to grab a direct entry into the quarter-finals, India lost the crossover match against New Zealand in the penalty shootout after regulation time ended 3-3. India were leading 3-1 in the third quarter.

At the last edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup in 2018, India, then led by Manpreet Singh, had topped the group stage which included eventual champions Belgium. They were knocked out after a narrow 2-1 loss against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals despite leading 1-0 at one stage.

India’s best result in the World Cup came in 1975 when they defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the final in Kuala Lumpur for their only title to date. 

India vs South Africa, FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 score and result

• Match: 9/11th place classification

• Score: India 5-2 South Africa

• Goal scorers: India - Abhishek (5’), Harmanpreet Singh (12’), Shamsher Singh (45’), Akashdeep Singh (49’), Sukhjeet Singh (59’); South Africa - Samkelo Mvimbi (49’), Mustaphaa Cassiem (60’)

• Venue: Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela

• Player of the Match: Abhishek