The Indian men’s hockey team kickstarted their Asian Champions Trophy 2023 campaign in style with a resounding 7-2 victory over China in their opening match at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
Led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s brace in the fifth and eighth minutes, India dominated the game from the start. Sukhjeet Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Varun Kumar, and Mandeep Singh also contributed to India’s dominant win, while E Wenhui and Jiesheng Gao found the back of the net for China in the second half.
India’s attacking approach put China on the backfoot, and their relentless pursuit of goals paid off early in the game. In the fifth minute, Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner to give India a 1-0 lead. Just three minutes later, he scored again from another penalty corner to double India’s advantage.
Sukhjeet Singh extended India’s lead with a well-taken goal after Varun Kumar’s initial shot was saved by the Chinese goalkeeper. The first quarter ended with India in a commanding position at 3-0.
India didn’t let up in the second quarter and quickly found their fourth goal through Akashdeep Singh’s clinical finish. However, China managed to pull one back when Varun Kumar failed to intercept an aerial pass, allowing E Wenhui to score in the 18th minute.
India responded emphatically, with Varun Kumar making amends for his mistake by scoring two goals to make it 5-1 in favor of India. China’s Jiesheng Gao managed to score in the 25th minute, but it was not enough to halt India’s dominance. The first half concluded with India leading 6-2.
In the second half, Mandeep Singh added to India’s lead with a well-converted penalty corner in the third quarter, sealing a comprehensive 7-2 victory for the Indian team.
With the win, India soared to the top of the Asian Champions Trophy standings due to their superior goal difference. The victory also marks a strong start to their campaign as they aim to clinch the title.
India’s next challenge will be against Japan on Friday, who suffered a 2-1 defeat to South Korea in their opening match. The Indian team will look to build on their impressive performance and continue their winning momentum.
In addition to the team’s triumph, two Indian players were honored before the match for their international milestones. Amit Rohidas celebrated his 150th international appearance, while Sumit marked his 100th cap for India.
The Indian men’s hockey team’s dominant display against China not only sets the tone for their Asian Champions Trophy campaign but also signifies their determination to continue their recent success on the international stage.
