Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024: India’s Hockey Team Outclasses China With An Emphatic 3-0 Win

New Delhi: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team registered a Three-zero victory of their first match of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2024 against hosts China on the Moqi Hockey Training Base this day. Sukhjeet Singh (14‘), Uttam Singh (27‘) and Abhishek (32‘) got on the scoresheet for India. Notably, Gurjot Singh made his debut for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team right through this match against China.

India became slow off the blocks while China looked ready, creating an early counter-attack 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 became saved and China initiated a blistering counter-attack which became put to an end by the Indian defence. China pushed the initiative, drawing a penalty corner with 6 minutes left but squandered the chance. India pegged China back right through the last few minutes of the quarter, registering some circle entries but no clear chance became made until Jugraj Singh thundered the ball into the shooting circle and Sukhjeet deflected it into the very best corner to make it 1-zero for India.

India became visibly alert right through the 2d quarter with Abhishek unleashing an early shot that became saved by the Chinese Goalkeeper Caiyu Wang. India began controlling the tempo of the sport, pushing China into their very own 0.5 of while China were happy to sit down back and hunt for an equaliser on the counter. With minutes to maneuver for the 0.5 of-time break, Uttam Singh doubled the lead for India, slotting away a stray ball into the nets after Raheel’s close-range shot became battered away.

India came out swinging right through the third quarter; Manpreet found Abhishek on the very best of the circle, who rifled the ball to sound the backboard on the 0.5 of-turn and make it Three-zero for India. Soon after, India earned a penalty corner but Harmanpreet’s shot became deflected away. India, right through the third quarter, continued to recycle the ball through the backline trying to search out every other goal from the young Indian forwards. A rare counter by China, with Three minutes left right through the quarter, resulted in a penalty corner but Chinese Captain Jiesheng Gao slotted the ball wide of the goalpost. China’s spirits, buoyed by the attempt, led them to fabricate a Three on Three counter but Jugraj Singh became readily readily to be had to avert the chance.

The last quarter played out in similar fashion. With 12 minutes left right through the sport, 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 remainder of the quarter, resulting in a penalty corner with 6 minutes left right through the sport however Jugraj’s low drag became just wide of the goal. China’s 2d keeper Weihao Wang saved Harmanpreet’s drag flick soon after. China went on to earn a penalty corner with 2 minutes left, forcing Keeper Suraj Karkera into his first save of the sport. China mounted pressure on India right through the dying moments, holding India hostage of their shooting circle but Harmanpreet and company stood tall to see the chance away.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh commended the performance post-match, said, “I believe we played thoroughly. We created some good chances but the best part is that we kept a clean sheet. Some new faces got a chance to perform and I believe they played thoroughly. It’s a crucial opportunity for them to play with the Asian teams and gel with the senior team. They're skilful and really talented. I wish them the best for the future.”