The Indian men’s hockey team kicked off their Asian Champions Trophy campaign in style with a solid 3-0 victory over hosts China in Hulunbuir, China, on Sunday. Goals from Sukhjit Singh, Uttam Singh, and Abhishek secured a comfortable win for India, while China failed to find the back of the net. India, entering the tournament after claiming a second consecutive bronze at the Olympics, demonstrated a balanced performance, capitalizing on scoring opportunities and displaying a strong defensive front.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh Praises Team Performance
Speaking after the match, captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. “I think we played very well,” he said. “We created some good chances, and the positive thing is that we did not concede any goals.” He also commended the new players who got their first chance to play with the senior team, adding, “This is a good opportunity for them to gain experience and integrate with the team. They are very talented, and I wish them all the best for the future.”
A Tactical Start and Early Lead
India had a cautious start as China launched an early counter-attack, which was well-defended by the vigilant Indian goalkeeper, Krishan Pathak. India soon gained a penalty corner through Abhishek, but Harmanpreet’s drag flick was blocked by the Chinese defense. China, too, had their chances, including a penalty corner with six minutes left in the first quarter, but they couldn’t convert.
With time running out in the first quarter, India finally broke the deadlock. Jugraj Singh delivered a precise pass into the shooting circle, which Sukhjit Singh deftly deflected into the top corner of the net, giving India a 1-0 lead.
Uttam Singh Doubles the Advantage Before Half-Time
India continued to press in the second quarter, with Abhishek taking an early shot that was saved by China’s goalkeeper Kaiyu Wang. The Indian side maintained control over the game’s pace, and a few minutes before the half-time break, Uttam Singh doubled India’s lead. He capitalized on a rebound from Raheel’s shot at close range, tapping the ball into the net to make it 2-0.
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India Seals Victory with a Third Goal
The third quarter saw India continue their attacking momentum. A well-coordinated play led to Manpreet Singh finding Abhishek near the top of the circle, who calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to extend India’s lead to 3-0. With this goal, India secured a commanding victory in their opening match of the tournament.
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Looking Ahead in the Tournament
India’s next match will be against Japan on Monday, as they aim to maintain their winning start in Pool I. Last year, India won the Asian Champions Trophy on home soil and remains the only team to have won the title four times. Meanwhile, in other matches, Malaysia drew 2-2 with Pakistan, and Japan and Korea ended in a thrilling 5-5 draw.
