India’s star players, Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, delivered spectacular performances with double hat-tricks, leading India to a crushing 16-1 victory against Singapore in the men’s hockey competition at the Asian Games.
Continued Goal-Scoring Prowess
Following their impressive 16-0 win against Uzbekistan in the tournament opener, India maintained their goal-scoring momentum by relentlessly finding the net against the world No. 49 team, Singapore. Notably, Harmanpreet scored in the 24th, 39th, 40th, and 42nd minutes, while Mandeep contributed goals in the 12th, 30th, and 51st minutes. Abhishek, Varun Kumar, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Gurjant Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh, and Shamsher Singh also added to India’s goal tally.
Early Moments of the Game
The match began with India starting at a measured pace but maintaining control of ball possession. The game was predominantly played in Singapore‘s half, with India dictating the proceedings from the outset.
India had their first scoring opportunity in the sixth minute, but Singapore goalkeeper Sandran Gugan made a crucial save. The team secured several penalty corners during the first quarter, but none were converted into goals.
After a relatively quiet first quarter, India accelerated their performance in the next 15 minutes, scoring five goals. The second quarter saw goals from Lalit, Gurjant, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and two penalty corner conversions by Harmanpreet.
Second Half Surge
The dominance continued into the second half, with India extending their lead through Manpreet and Harmanpreet’s hat-trick. Shamsher also added to the goal count. Zaki Zulkarnain scored a consolation goal for Singapore in the 53rd minute.
Despite their comprehensive victory, India’s conversion rate for penalty corners remained a concern, with only eight out of 22 secured being successfully converted.
India’s exceptional performance in this match showcased their formidable presence in the Asian Games hockey competition, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their future matches.
Upcoming Challenge: Facing Defending Champions Japan
India’s next challenge in the Asian Games awaits as they prepare to face defending champions Japan on Thursday, setting the stage for an intense battle on the field.
(With PTI Inputs)