Indian men make short work of Sri Lanka, secure 16-1 win in second Asian Games hockey pool game

The Indians made short work of Sri Lanka in their second pool game of the Asian Games men’s hockey competition, coming away with a 16-1 win on Tuesday (September 22). The Indians, who had earlier defeated Indonesia 13-1, now have six points from two matches.

Jugraj Singh made the most of the opportunities he was given from the top of the circle to bolster India’s penalty corner battery ahead of the business end of the Asian Games competition.

The Olympic bronze medalists kept up the momentum through all four quarters against a beleaguered Sri Lankan side who were no match for India despite Suresh Rathnayake managing to manufacture a spectacular lone goal.

Prepped for a repeat Asian Games goalfest, Mandeep Singh set the ball rolling with an early powerful strike from open play, having latched onto Abhishek’s angled pass from the baseline in the fifth minute. Jugraj Singh scored from the top of the circle in the tenth minute off India’s second penalty corner. Refusing to take their feet off the pedal, the Indians swarmed the attacking third with Abhishek getting onto the scoresheet in the 11th minute.

Harmanpreet Singh‘s drag flick was stopped on the line by the post-runner in the 16th minute. The ball trickled into the back of the net, nonetheless. Abhishek then deftly slotted one in past an overworked Tharindu Hendeniya to pile on the misery for Sri Lanka in the 17th minute.

Jugraj Singh scored his second off a penalty corner in the 22nd minute despite his drag-flick being partially stopped by the defender on the goal line.

Harmanpreet Singh’s drag flick caught the foot of the first runner, but the rebound was neatly dispatched by Sukhjeet Singh into an empty net with the Lankan goalie and defence woefully out of position in the 29th minute.

A delectable relay goal materialised for India at the stroke of half-time with Mandeep Singh on the edge of the circle tapping the ball to Dilpreet Singh positioned near the goal, who deftly nudged the ball home.

Manpreet Singh scored India’s ninth goal in the 31st minute before Vivek Prasad got into the act with a powerful tomahawk that crashed into the backboard in the 36th minute.

Taking a crowded goalmouth out of the equation, Sukhjeet Singh and Dilpreet Singh foxed the Lankan deep defence with a couple of quick passes before the latter scored in the 38th minute.

A messy tackle on Mandeep Singh at the goalmouth resulted in a penalty stroke, enabling Jugraj Singh to notch up a hat-trick from the spot in the 42nd minute. Harmanpreet Singh scored from a penalty corner in the 45th minute just before Abhishek created a field goal in the 49th minute.

A delighted Suresh Rathnayake celebrated in the 50th minute, having undone the Indian defence, who appeared to stall in anticipation of an infringement call from the umpire.

Jugraj Singh lofted a penalty stroke into the roof of the net in the 53rd minute before Dilpreet Singh scored his third goal in the 55th minute.

South Korean challenge next up for India in Asian Games men’s hockey

With 2018 Asian Games champions Japan and four-time gold medalists South Korea, both in India’s group, topping the pool will not be a cakewalk for Craig Fulton’s team.While South Korea are no longer the force they once were (having not won a gold medal since 2006), the Indians themselves have slipped down the rankings following back-to-back poor showings in the Pro League and FIH World Cup.

Thursday’s encounter against South Korea hence assumes a lot of significance for the Indians both with regard to group placings and the morale of the team ahead of the crucial knockout stages of the Asian Games.