ASIA CUP: India drubs Bangladesh 7-0

Follow our live coverage of India's second Asia Cup hockey match against host Bangladesh in Dhaka.

 

India has been clinical in the way it has approached the two games so far. Five goals against Japan and more than half-a-dozen against Bangladesh and it has leaked only one so far (against Japan). While Sjoerd Marijne's men are ruthless in the final third, just two goals off 13 penalty corner chances is a a point to ponder. The Indian team is in a huddle and Marijne, in all probability, is emphasising on that point.

India is at the top of the table with six points while Pakistan is second with four points.

India now meets arch-rivals Pakistan on October 15 and what a way they have warmed up for the all-important clash. Earlier, in a group match, Japan and Pakistan played out a 2-2 draw.

 

60" It is full time and India has drubbed the host 7-0.

58" 13th penalty corner chance for India. Harmanpreet can only shoot way above the goalpost.

57" Ramandeeo Singh, this time, cannot get on target as he shoots wide.

55" Akashdeep Singh closes from the left flank but his reverse flick from a tight angle is a bit wide. Uthappa was closing in infront of the goal but he was tad slower in his attempt to get to the ball.

The positive that Bangladesh can now take from this match so far is the two goals it has conceded, so far, in the last two quarters. Its defence has improved but it is the forward line that needs to take up more responsibility.

50" India is now a wee bit relaxed. Although it is dictating terms, the players aren't keen on inflicting more damage on Bangladesh.

47" India wants a penalty corner, its 12th chance, and Manpreet asks for a referral. The video umpire upholds India's request and Harmanpreet Singh finally gets one into the net. India now comfortably placed at 7-0.

47" India's 10th penalty corner chance and Varun cannot convert it. The Bangladesh defence clears the ball quickly to avoid more damage to its reputation.

46" Another penalty corner opportunity for India and in the ninth attempt, India gets a goal. 6-0 for India now. It is an indirect penalty corner goal, but India wouldn't mind that. Varun Kumar takes the shot but passes to Ramandeep Singh who unleashes a tracer bullet and it lands on the board with a thud.

Fourth and final quarter begins

Bangladesh has been tight with its defence but what it needs is goals. 24 times India has got into the circle in the last 45 minutes and has scored five goals.

End of the third quarter. India leads 5-0 with no goals scored in this quarter.

42" Gurjant and Uthappa have been fed with chances but the duo haven't been able to control the ball effectively.

On the goals front, it has been a relatively quiet quarter for India as the Bangladesh defence is good at its work.

38" A roar from the crowd as Bangladesh finally manages to take the ball towards its target but the joy is short lived as the host loses ball possession.

37" Skirmish at the goalmouth as India squanders another chance to extend its lead. Lalit and Manpreet not able to control the ball as it is cleared away to safety by Bangladesh. Post the break, the host has been good in the backline, not allowing India to sniff at any half chance.

33" Penalty corner no. 7 for India. Varun Kumar takes it and the result is no different. Make it eight and India has been utterly unimpressive on this as it has failed to convert any of the eight chances.

32" India gets an early penalty corner but Harmapreet fails in covering it again.

Third quarter begins

Can Bangladesh pull off a miracle now? It has 30 minutes to do so. India, as usual, has been dominant in the first two quarters. It has been India's game plan in recent times. Run away with the first half and consolidate on the lead in the second. India has had nine shots on goal as opposed to Bangladesh's one and five penalty corners with Bangladesh yet to get a single one. India has also excelled in ball possession in the opponent's half by enjoying a 65% dominance.

 

End of second quarter and at halftime India leads 5-0.

28" Penalty stroke for India. And Bangladesh asks for a referral. The decision stands and Bangladesh loses its review. Harmanpreet makes no mistake in the resulting strike as India makes it 5-0.

26" India is now down to 10 men as Amit Rohidas gets a green card.

24" Bangladesh finally finds a way to take the ball into its half but sadly can't make any inroads from the counter attack.

23" Another penalty corner and Harmanpreet shoots it wide. It has been a deluge of penalty corners but the Men in Blue haven't been able to make a difference to the scoreline as it stays 4-0.

22" Second penalty corner for India. Harmanpreet can't make a difference to the scoreline with that flick as it is way off target after hitting a defender. The resulting penalty corner too is saved by the Bangladesh custodian.

20" India makes it 4-0. Amit Rohidas gets his name on the scoresheet. India is now making a mincemeat of Bangladesh's defence. A good cross by Gurjant Sing and Amit had to take it neat and deflect it into the goal.

19" Bangladesh is trying to increase the pace with some attack but the Indians are catching up fast.

17" Sunil takes the ball from the midfield but can't pass it on to Akashdeep or Ramandeep. The Bangladesh defender does well to keep the Indian away.

17" Puskar Mimo tries to reduce the arrears for the host but the Indian defence is too strong for the Bangladeshi to break.

Second quarter begins

India could have made it 4-0 if Harmanpreet Singh's dragflick found the target in the final minute of the first quarter, but nevertheless, India holds the aces. Bangladesh has left gaping holes in its midfield and India is latching on to every half-chance and making Bangladesh pay dearly.

End of first quarter. India leads 3-0.

13" India now makes it 3-0. Lalit Upadhyay this time makes no mistake. Bangladesh is losing the plot and India is running away with this game. A powerful strike from the midfield and a shoddy Bangladesh defending makes it easy for India. The ball just falls infront of Lalit and the striker pounces on the opportunity in a jiffy.

11" India double the lead. Akashdeep Singh scores. Sunil with an excellent pass and Akashdeep unleashes a strike to beat Bangladesh goalkeeper easily from a close range.

10" A chance for Bangladesh to equalise. But an alert Indian goalkeeper averts the danger.

7"GOAL FOR INDIA. India breaks the deadlock. Gurjant Singh was in the right place at the right time. All he had to do was take the pass clean and just tap it in and he makes no mistake.

5" The Bangladesh dug out is all animated as it misses a chance. The ball is struck from well outside the 'D'. 

3" S.V. Sunil on target. But his shot is a tad wide. Meanwhile, Bangladesh tries to attack from the flanks.

2" We are in for a treat as both the teams start a fast paced game. India start attacking right away. Fortunately for the host, the goalkeeper was agile.

First quarter begins

The teams have lined up for the national anthems. Jana Gana Mana followed by Amar Sonar Bangla .

The players have warmed up and we are all set for live action.

Good to see Ramandeep Singh back in action. Thankfully, his injury isn't serious.

This is what captain Manpreet Singh had to say before the match.

As the players are warming up, here is India's starting XI.

 

India women's hockey player Rani Rampal has wished the best for her counterparts.

It is India vs Bangladesh in the Asia Cup hockey match.

After beating Japan 5-1 in its inaugural Asia Cup match, India hopes to continue the good form into its second match against Bangladesh. Indian was ruthless against Japan with S.V. Sunil, Lalit Upadhyay, Ramandeep Singh and Harmanpreet Singh finding the target with ease. Incase, you missed it, read how India thumped Japan here .