The Indian Men’s Hockey Team registered a 3-0 victory in its first match of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 against host China at the Moqi Hockey Training Base here on Sunday.
Sukhjeet Singh (14‘), Uttam Singh (27‘) and Abhishek (32‘) got on the scoresheet for India while Gurjot Singh made his debut for the senior team.
“I think we played very well. We created some good chances but the best part is that we kept a clean sheet,” captain Harmanpreet Singh said.
“Some new faces got an opportunity to perform and I think they played very well. It’s a good opportunity for them to play with the Asian teams and gel with the senior team. They are skilful and very talented. I wish them the best for the future,” he said
India was slow off the blocks while China looked ready, creating an early counterattack opportunity but an alert Krishan Pathak saw the ball sail wide harmlessly.
Halfway through the quarter, Abhishek forced a penalty corner from China but Harmanpreet’s drag flick was saved and China initiated a blistering counter, which was put to an end by the Indian defence.
China pushed the initiative, drawing a penalty corner with six minutes left but squandered the opportunity.
With minutes to go for half-time, Uttam Singh doubled the lead for India, slotting away a stray ball into the nets after Raheel’s close-range shot was battered away.
India came out swinging in the third quarter; Manpreet Singh found Abhishek at the top of the circle, who rifled the ball to sound the backboard on the half-turn and make it 3-0 for India. Soon after, India earned a penalty corner but Harmanpreet’s shot was deflected away.
With 12 minutes left in the game, Gurjot Singh bamboozled the Chinese defence on the left wing and found Abhishek whose reverse shot whisked past the goalpost.
India created regular chances through circle entries for the rest of the quarter, resulting in a penalty corner with six minutes left in the game.
However, Jugraj’s low drag was just wide of the goal. China’s second keeper Weihao Wang saved Harmanpreet’s drag flick soon after. China went on to earn a penalty corner with two minutes left, forcing ‘keeper Suraj Karkera into his first save of the game.
China mounted pressure on India in the dying moments, holding India hostage in its shooting circle but Harmanpreet and company stood tall to see the danger away.
India will play Japan in their second pool one match on Monday.
In other matches, Malaysia held Pakistan 2-2 in a high-voltage contest, while Japan and Korea engaged in a goal-fest before settling for a 5-5 draw.
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