Bhubaneswar: India trounced South Africa 5-1 to win the FIH Series Finals at Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday.
India played like champions and finished the tournament unbeaten and on top.
Two brace each by dragflickers Varun Kumar (2nd and 49th minutes)and Harmanpreet Singh (11th and 25th) put the hosts in an enviable position. Vivek Sagar Prasad was the other goal scorer for India.
The first two goals came from penalty corners. The third was scored from a penalty stroke, which was awarded when Birendra Lakra was stick-checked inside South Africa’s ‘D’ by Jethro Eustice.
In the third quarter, a goal from close range by Prasad extended the lead. The goal in the 49th minute of the game was from another penalty corner.
South Africa’s lone goal was scored by Richard Pautz in the 53rd minute.
India and South Africa have already qualified for the final round of the Olympic qualifiers before Saturday’s summit clash.
