Sandeep stars as India make final

Will play Belgium in the summit clash; winner to get direct entry into Champions Trophy

Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh converted two penalty corners as India beat hosts South Africa 4-2 to set up a title date with Belgium,which defeated Argentina by 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out in the first semi-final,in the Champions Challenge Hockey tournament here on Saturday. The winner of the Champions Challenge gets a direct entry into the Champions Trophy to be held in Australia next year.

Sandeeps short-corner conversions in the 44th and 49th minute respectively enabled India to take the lead after the two teams were level on 2-2.

VR Raghnath (13th) and Sarvanjit Singh (40th) earlier restored parity on two occasions after the home team scored through Marvin Harper (eighth minute) and Thronton McDade (22nd minute). India had beaten South Africa 7-4 in their preliminary group-league encounter. India fielded Rupinder Pal Singh from the start as he recovered from the injury that forced him to be carried off the field on a stretcher in the quarterfinal against Malaysia.

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The semi-final was played at a brisk pace and South Africa opened the scoring early when Drummond picked up a long through shot and pushed the ball in for Harper to flick past goalkeeper Bharat Chetri.

India equalised through Raghunaths penalty corner conversion in the 13th minute as he sent a low flick into the goal. South Africa again capitalised on a defensive lapse when McDade got space to turn around in the circle after collecting Harpers cross to send the shot into the left corner of the goal in the 22d minute to give the hosts a 2-1 lead at the interval.

India again drew level five minutes into the second session when Sarvanjit scored with a reverse drive on a rebound after Sardar Singhs shot was blocked. India were ahead 3-2 in the 44th minute after Sandeeps penalty corner shot that went high into the net. Five minutes later,Sandeeps drag-flick found the target as India went ahead by a 4-2 margin.

India managed to thwart the South African despite two other players Arjun Halappa and Tushar Khandekar – being sent off the field for 10 minutes each late in the second half.

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Hosts South Africa,the African continental champions,had lot at stake in this match as a victory would have booked their passage to the 2012 Olympic Games. South Africas title win in the All-Africa Games gave them a direct entry to the London Olympics,but the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) said that the competition was not good,and the team must prove its strength by reaching the final of the Champions Challenge.

South Africa will now have to play in the Olympic Qualifiers in Japan,while their direct spot in the Olympic Games will go to the highest ranked team not to have secured direct entry to the 2012 Olympics,which is Spain.