New Delhi: A rampaging India stormed into the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup hockey tournament with a flawless record, dismantling Kazakhstan 15-0 in a one-sided clash on Monday. The Men in Blue scored, on average, every four minutes to underline their dominance and top Pool A.
Forward Abhishek led the carnage with four goals (5th, 8th, 20th, 59th minutes), while Sukhjeet Singh (15th, 32nd, 38th) and Jugraj Singh (24th, 31st, 47th) hammered brilliant hat-tricks. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (26th), Amit Rohidas (29th), Rajinder Singh (32nd), Sanjay (54th) and Dilpreet Singh (55th) also joined the scoring spree.
With this victory, India completed a hat-trick of wins in Pool A, having already beaten China and Japan. They now progress alongside China, while Malaysia and Korea qualified from Pool B. The Super 4 stage will see all four teams clash once, with the top two entering Sunday’s final.
From the first whistle, India pressed relentlessly. Sukhjeet dispossessed Kazakhstan deep in their half and set up Abhishek for the opener with a reverse strike. Three minutes later, Abhishek doubled the lead with a forehand finish, before combining again with Sukhjeet for India’s third.
Though Kazakhstan earned two penalty corners in the opening half, they were denied by India’s defence. On the other hand, Jugraj and Harmanpreet capitalised from set pieces, while Rohidas converted just before half-time to make it 7-0.
The floodgates stayed open in the second half. Jugraj converted a penalty stroke, Rajinder and Sukhjeet added quick goals, and Dilpreet made amends for an earlier miss. Jugraj completed his hat-trick in the final quarter, followed by Sanjay’s penalty corner and Dilpreet’s strike. Abhishek fittingly rounded off the massacre with his fourth goal, a minute before the hooter.
Earlier in the day, Japan were knocked out of Super 4 contention despite a spirited 2-2 comeback draw against China. China’s Changliang Lin (7th) and Xiaojia Zhang (25th) gave them a 2-0 cushion, before Kazumasa Matsumoto (28th, 51st) struck twice for Japan. The draw meant China advanced on superior goal difference.
With India in unstoppable form and China, Malaysia, and Korea also eyeing glory, the Super 4 stage promises high-voltage hockey in the race to the Asia Cup crown.
