Hockey: Indian juniors thrash Bangladesh seniors 4-0 in warm-up game

The practice matches have been provided as a warm-up before the Indian junior team embarks on its Belgium tour in July

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India’s junior men’s team put up a clinical performance to beat the Bangladesh senior team 4-0 in the first practice match played at the Sports Authority of India in Bengaluru on Friday.

The practice matches have been provided as a warm-up before junior team embarks on its Belgium tour in July, while Bangladesh is treating the tournament as a dress rehearsal for the Asian Games.

Striker Shilanand Lakra led the team’s attack as he scored in the fourth minute to put the visitors on the back foot in the first quarter. His goal was scored off a penalty corner.

The Indian juniors built on the momentum as Lakra scored another swift field goal in the 17th minute to give his team a 2-0 lead.

Though Bangladesh showed positive intent with improvised ball possession in the second and third quarters, it could not muster a goal.

Defensive errors in India’s striking circle saw it concede a penalty corner in the 38th minute that was brilliantly converted by skipper Dipsan Tirkey.

Three minutes later, Abharan Sudev Belmagga scored a field goal to take the home team’s lead to 4-0. The visitors, meanwhile, tried to make a comeback in the final quarter, but the Indian juniors held sway with a strong defensive structure to keep the opponents from scoring.