As it happened | Hockey World Cup 2018: India 5-0 South Africa

India registered an outstanding victory against South Africa 5-0 in their campaign opener.

Simaranjeet Singh was awarded player of the match for scoring two crucial goals.

Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay were the other goal scorers.

'The wall of Indian hockey team', PR Sreejesh, might not have played his most difficult match today but the job is not done yet, bigger challenges are standing on the way.

While South Africa will buckle up for the next challenge.

Next, India will face Belgium, who won the event's opener against Canada 2-1, on December 2.

On the same day, South Africa will face Canada.

Here is the Schedule, Squad, Time and Venue.

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India won their campaign opener 5-0 against South Africa.

What a start!

Manpreet Singh-led team has treated the crowd with a terrific match.

The third quarter belonged to India.

Simranjeet and Lalit have scored to extend the lead 4-0.

South Africa is now under pressure as India sniff victory from here.

In the 43rd minute, Mandeep ran across into the circle and Simranjeet perfectly netted it, giving India it's third goal.

Just two minutes after that, Lalit Upadhyay deflected a power shot by Akashdeep pushing India closer to victory.

At half-time, the score remained unchanged.

India lead 2-0 against South Africa.

There were several chances for team India but South Africa made few terrific saves.

South Africa have slowly gained the required momentum.

Let's see, what's coming up in the second half of the game.

Team India took a 2-0 lead while playing against South Africa in the second match of Men's Hockey World Cup 2018.

With four shots on target, India had a better dominated the first quarter.

India had 67 per cent of possession over South Africa.

Mandeep Singh scored the first goal and Akashdeep extended the lead by scoring the second goal in 12th minute.

It's a treat for the crowd!

South Africa need to find a breakthrough and better their defence as India will look to build up the pressure.

India and South Africa have played four matches against each other, out of which India emerged as the winner in one and the other three matches ended in a draw.

And Chinglensana Singh of India is playing his 200th international match while Jethro Eustice is playing his 100th match.

Playing XI:

India: PR Sreejesh, Manpreet Singh (C), Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Nilakanta Sharma, Varun Kumar, Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana Kangujam.

South Africa: Tyson Dlungwana, Austin Smith, Tim Drummond (C), Lembethe Nduduza, Julian Hykes, Dayaan Cassiem, Rhett Halkett, Taine Paton, Jethro Eustice, Rassie Pieterse, Nicholas Spooner.

In the first match of Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, Belgium emerged as the winner. 

Thanks to Felix Denayer and Thomas Briels, Belgium defeat Canada 2-1.

Mark Pearson of Canada found a breakthrough in the final quarter but that was not enough.

The Indian hockey team will look to rewrite history as it attempts to clinch the elusive gold again in the 14th edition of Men's Hockey World Cup.

Indian their campaign opener, they will meet South Africa as the other Pool C clash.

Whereas, South African coach Mark Hopkins said his side's goal coming into the tournament is to become the most successful South African hockey-playing nation in the history of the World Cup. 

Here is the complete squad:

South Africa 

Head coach: Mark Hopkins

Squad: Tyson Dlungwana, Austin Smith, Tim Drummond (C), Paebo Lembethe, Julian Hykes, Thomas Hammond, Dayaan Cassiem, Rhett Halkett, Richard Pautz, Taylor Dart, Taine Paton, Mohamed Mea, Jethro Eustice, Rassie Pieterse, Nicholas Spooner, Keenan Horne, Nqobile Ntuli, Gowan Jones.

India 

Head coach: Harendra Singh

Squad: PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Varin Kumar, Kothajit Khadangbam, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh (C), Chinglensana Kangujam, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh.