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The number five world, India, aspires to recover the World Cup after 43 years, a title they won only once in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur.
Simranjeet Singh (43rd, 46th minute) scored twice, while Mandeep Singh (10th), Akashdeep Singh (12th) and Lalit Upadhyay (45th) were the other goal scorers for India against the US. South Africa, ranked 10 places in front of India.
The Indians played with the South African defense in the first quarter as they organized numerous attacks on the opposing goal. They have to their credit managed to take two comfortable advance 2-0.
India's first chance came in the third minute when skipper Manpreet Singh found an unidentified Mandeep alone in the penalty area, but the striker failed to clear a path.
But India quickly took the lead when Mandeep scored a rebound in the 10th minute of the hosts' first corner.
It's Mandeep who earned the penalty for India after perfectly controlling a long scoop of Harmanpreet Singh. He then found himself in the right place at the right time to get home after South African goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse saved the high shot of Harmanpreet.
Three minutes later, India doubled its lead over Akashdeep, who scored after the ball fell in front of his stick after a deflection of Simranjit Singh.
The Indians kept up the pressure on the South African defense in the second quarter and got their second corner in the 19th minute, but they did not know how to use their luck as they tried a variation.
Just two minutes from halftime, Nilkanta Sharma and Sumit teamed up well to create a great opportunity for India, but the first missed the goal at close range.
Leading by two comfortable goals, India continued in the same vein after the change of volley and scored two more goals in the third quarter. India scored its third corner in the 34th minute but missed a chance.
South Africa signaled a comeback and nearly scored in the 40th minute, but an alert Indian goalkeeper, P Sreejesh, was out of line to deny Richard Pautz.
A few minutes later, South Africa had another opportunity to win their first corner, but to no avail.
India scored three beautiful goals in the space of four minutes to bring the match out of the reach of South Africa.
Simranjeet scored his first goal in the 43rd minute when Mandeep dribbled some South African defenders to prepare him for his striker.
Then, a Lalit diver deflected in a diagonal pass from Akashdeep before Simranjeet was again in the center of concern, scoring his second goal of the day since India's fourth corner.
The Indians have spoiled another opportunity in the form of their fifth corner, but they have barely feared to overtake South Africa.
India will face Belgium, world number 3, on Dec. 2, while South Africa will play Canada on the same day.
In the matches of tomorrow, Argentina, Olympic champion, will face Spain in Pool A, while New Zealand will face France.
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