Hockey World Cup 2018: India vs South Africa- 3 reasons why India won the match

#2 Ability to change gears based on the match situation

The Indians kept their calm in front of a capacity crowd

While a team takes the field with an obvious strategy as discussed in the team meeting, the ability to tweak one's game based on the ever-changing circumstances on the pitch and sudden alterations in tactics adopted by the opposition is what sets a champion team apart.

After the Indians pumped in two quick goals, Mark Hopkins and the South African coaching team, decided to up the ante by committing an extra man up the field and Harendra was pleased by the way his boys responded on the pitch.

"The moment they were 2-0 down, they pulled one of their back three up to an extra midfielder. But we regrouped well (after surviving those chances). They were smelling one goal. But we didn't let that happen."

Several such situations will continue to present themselves and Harendra's boys will need to adapt to them with as much aplomb as they did in the opener.

The Indians refused to play to the galleries, in the midst of a vociferous capacity crowd and stuck to the game plan instead which they will need to continue till the very end.

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