India ended their FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup campaign on a winning note as they thrashed South Africa 5-2 in their last classification match at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday.

The result saw India finish the World Cup in the ninth position along with Argentina, who too won comfortably, defeating Wales 6-0.

India, once again backed by a packed stadium, showed their intent right from the first whistle.

Abhishek opened the scoring for India in the 5th minute as a powerful slap pass by Harmanpreet Singh found him in space at the top of the circle and he unleashed a vicious shot that was past Gowan Jones in a flash.

India added a second towards the end of first quarter as captain Harmanpreet Singh found his drag-flick touch to convert off a penalty corner, which was won by Mandeep Singh.

The third quarter saw South Africa fight back as they dominated possession. But even then, India posed a constant threat on the counter. Abhishek had the best chance early in the half as a great pass by Akashdeep Singh found him with just Jones to beat, but his tentative shot was saved well by the rushing keeper.

But an Indian counterattack saw Abhishek provide a cross from the right, which deflected off a South African stick and fell to Shamsher at the far post. Shamsher did the needful to make it 3-0.

Akashdeep made it 4-0 in the final quarter before South Africa tried to come back by scoring a goal of their own. But Sukhjeet Singh added a fifth goal to India’s tally to put it beyond the reach of the South Africans, who found a consolation goal from a penalty stroke in the final minute.

Abhishek, who was adjudged Player of the Match, said: “It feels great to have registered another good win and I hope we can take this form forward and play this way in the future games.”

In the other games on the final day of classification matches, Malaysia beat Japan 3-2 while France were 4-2 winners over Chile.