Olympics 2021: Indian women's hockey team beats South Africa 4-3 to keep knock-out hopes alive

The Indian side will go through if Great Britain wins against Ireland. A draw between the two European sides will also send India through.
Keep an eye out for the match, which starts later today, but until then, keep following Sportskeeda for updates on other sporting action from the Olympics 2021!
That's all from our side for now, Goodbye and stay safe!

Q4: 🇮🇳 4-3 🇿🇦@TheHockeyIndia keep their hope for a qualification to the 1/4 finals alive. But their fate isn't in their hands. If IRL win tonight, then IRL will go through at the expense of IND.

Match info: https://t.co/Keo2fuYHut #Tokyo2020 #INDvRSA #Hockey
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) July 31, 2021

India have performed wonderfully in this do-or-die match and have won 4-3.

Now they will have to wait for results from other matches to see if they qualify for the quarterfinals#Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #Cheer4India #IND #olympics #Hockey
— Sportskeeda India (@Sportskeeda) July 31, 2021

Final scoresheet:

Match summary: The Indian team has done splendid work in the midfield all throughout the tournament, with the likes of Sushila Chanu, Monika and Nikki Pradhan giving India plenty to cheer about.

The women in blue lacked in terms of creating attacking opportunities and finishing touches in some of the earlier games. That had put the pressure on the defense, which has otherwise been impeccable. Deep Grace Ekka and Salima Tete have been outstanding, with the former even stepping in the trle of a secondary drag-flicker for the side.

The Indian forward line was much stronger in today’s game. In addition to the heroic efforts from Vandana Kataria, youngsters Neha Goyal and Sharmila Devi were also impressive in their efforts.

The Indian eves just about managed to hold strong in defense following the 4-3 lead in the 4th quarter to seal the win. This was a hugely encouraging performance, as the women should be proud of how they have grown into the tournament.

The Indian side still needs for Ireland to lose to Great Britain later today to make it to the knock-outs, but for now, we can all be absolutely proud of today’s performance!

Full time. India 4-3 South Africa.

This could be a big win for India!

Navneet just keeping the ball away from South Africa.

30 seconds remaining...

1 minute left on the clock...

Great referral from Monika! India gets the free hit!

South Africa score a PC of their own! India wants to go upstairs on this.

43' Penalty corner for South Africa.

42' Penalty corner for India.

They failed to convert.

PC for India!

3 minutes left in the match.

Down to the last 3 minutes!

56' - Sharmila quick on the counter, but can't get it through the South African GK!

55' - Indian defense come away with the ball to neutralize a South African press.

India needs to continue pressing forward. An insurance goal should give them a edge here. They also need to be careful in defense and not concede another late goal, which has been a bit of a problem so far.

49' A perfect GOALLL for India. 😍

Vandana Katariya scores her third for the day and she is on fire. 🔥

🇮🇳 4:3 🇿🇦#INDvRSA #IndiaKaGame #TeamIndia #Tokyo2020 #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/tZRRqQKLMH
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 31, 2021

This match has been a star turn for Vandana Kataria, who scores again to give India the lead once again!

India 4-3 South Africa

Vandana gets her hattrick!

India needs to take their scoring opportunities at this stage of the match. Too many misses could easily lead to a shift in momentum here!

49' Penalty corner for India.

They fail to convert it.

47' Series of penalty corners flying in for South Africa as this is their third one in a minute.

Good bit of defensive work from India to keep South Africa at bay. They'll have to fend off another Penalty Corner though!

Another one for them on the rebound.

46' Penalty corner for South Africa.

The final quarter is undeway.

And the third quarter comes to an end. A very interesting fourth quarter coming up #IND 3⃣-3⃣ #RSA #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #Cheer4India #IND #olympics #Hockey
— Sportskeeda India (@Sportskeeda) July 31, 2021

Green Card for Quanita Bobbs 🟩
Green Card for Lilian du Plessis 🟩

🇮🇳 3:3 🇿🇦#INDvRSA #IndiaKaGame #TeamIndia #Tokyo2020 #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 31, 2021

3rd quarter analysis: Solid starts to each quarter have been highlights for the Indian side so far. Neha Goyal gave India another shot at restoring their lead by scoring a Penalty Corner with some brilliant running. The youngster then found the back of the net to score her first goal!

South Africa, however, managed to equalize once again as the Marizen Marais found the gap in the Indian defense, who were short on one player following a green card.

Both teams looked to create scoring opportunities following the goal, but good work from Savita and Phumelela Luphumlo Mbande ensured the scoreline stayed 3-3. Green cards were also flying around as both teams scrambled for advantage.

India 3-3 South Africa. End of the third quarter.

45' South Africa lose a player due to a green card.

45' Shot taken straight at Savita which she saves it.

43' Brillian run of play from India but the South African keeper saves the day for them.

40' Green card. India down to 10 players again for the next couple of minutes.

India 3-3 South Africa

South Africa take the numerical advantage over India and equalise for the third time this match.

37' India are down to 10 players for the next two minutes since a green card has been shown.

The Indian defense doing some great work to deny South Africa from taking a shot at the equaliser.

32' India start the third quarter by converting a Penalty Corner into a GOALLL! 😍

Neha scores her first of the game and we are leading again.

🇮🇳 3:2 🇿🇦#INDvRSA #IndiaKaGame #TeamIndia #Tokyo2020 #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/kZgwh204V8
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 31, 2021

India scores, restore the lead 3-2! Goyal gets the reward for her hard work as she scores from a deflection off a solid from Monika. First Olympic goal for the talented youngster!

32' India 3-2 South Africa

GOAL!!! Monika's shot was turned in by Neha with a single touch.

32' Penalty corner for India.

Incredible running from Neha Goyal, who carried the ball down the entire pitch into the South African circle beating the entire opposition defense.

Third-quarter is underway.

Scoresheet at half-time:

It's half time and great action awaits on the other side#IND 2⃣-2⃣ #RSA #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #Cheer4India #IND #olympics #Hockey
— Sportskeeda India (@Sportskeeda) July 31, 2021

Olympics 2021: Indian women's hockey team beats South Africa 4-3 to keep knock-out hopes alive

Catch the LIVE scores of India vs South Africa women's Pool A Olympics 2021 hockey match