Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh each scored hat-tricks as India defeated Bangladesh 12-0 to advance to the Asian Games semifinals of men’s hockey.
Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh each scored a hat-trick as India thrashed Bangladesh 12-0 on Monday to advance to the semifinals of the Asian Games men’s hockey competition. Harmanpreet (2nd, 4th, and 32nd minutes) converted three penalty corners, and Mandeep (18th, 24th, and 46th minutes) also scored three times as India remained unbeaten in Pool A. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (23rd), Amit Rohidas (28th), Abhishek (41st, 57th), Nilakanta Sharma (47th), and Gurjant Singh (56th) scored for India.
On Wednesday, India will face the second-best team from Pool B in the semifinals.
India dominated the game from start to finish, scoring goals from both penalty corners and field play.
The Indians scored seven field goals and converted five of the match’s 11 penalty corners.
Throughout the game, India launched constant attacks, scoring six goals in each half.
India took the lead after just two minutes after Harmanpreet converted the opening penalty corner of the game.
Two minutes later, the captain found the goal by converting another penalty corner.
Young Abhishek and Mandeep were the highlights of the game, combining brilliantly to assist India score some field goals.
Abhishek ended up being the provider for the following two goals, which were scored by Mandeep and Lalit, who were in the right location at the right moment to direct the ball into the net in the second quarter.
Mandeep scored on a rebound after Bangladesh custodian Mohammed Noyon saved Harmanpreet’s flick.
Rohidas subsequently scored again from a penalty corner as India went into the break with a 6-0 lead.
Following the change of ends, India was awarded numerous penalty corners, and Harmanpreet scored his hat-trick from one of them.
Abhishek then put his name on the scoreboard with a spectacular goal with a reverse hit from the top of the circle.
Nilakanta scored off a rebound after Noyon saved Abhishek’s shot.
India won two more penalty corners, but Bangladesh defended in numbers.
Gurjant and Abhishek then scored two more goals in the closing five minutes of the game to complete the rout.
