India loses to South Africa

South Africa defeated India 4-3 in a friendly hockey match in the run-up to the tri-nation tournament here on Wednesday.

Danish Mujtaba, Sandeep Singh and S.K. Uthappa scored for India, while Clinton Panther, Thoton McDade, Lloyd Norris-Jones and Justin Reid Ross were on target for South Africa.

Panther put South Africa ahead in the ninth minute through a field goal and McDade made it 2-0 in the 17th. India reduced the margin four minutes later through a field goal by forward Mujtaba.

India created some good moves in the second half and made it 2-2 in the 47th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Sandeep.

However, Norris-Jones put South Africa ahead again three minutes later and India equalised seven minutes later through a field goal by Uthappa. South Africa scored the winner in the 61st minute through a penalty corner by Reid.

India will play Great Britain on Saturday in the inaugural match of the tri-nation series in Santander, Spain.

The results: South Africa 4 (Clinton Panther 9, Thoton McDade 17, Lloyd Norris-Jones 50, Justin Reid Ross 61) bt India 3 (Danish Mujtaba 21, Sandeep Singh 47, S.K. Uthappa 57).