India hockey team drub Indonesia 17- 0 in opener

Jakarta, Aug. 20: Indian men’s hockey team hammered a lowly Indonesia 17- 0 to open their title defence in a rousing fashion at the Asian Games, here on Monday.

As many as three Indian players scored a hat- trick each as India toyed with the Indonesians in the lopsided Pool A encounter.

Dilpreet Singh ( 6th, 29th, 32nd min), Simranjeet Singh ( 13th, 38th, 53rd) and Mandeep Singh ( 29th, 44th, 49th) scored a hattrick each for India, while Rupinder Pal Singh ( 1st, 2nd), Akashdeep Singh ( 10th, 44th), S V Sunil ( 25th), Vivek Sagar ( 26th),

H a r m a n p r e e t Singh ( 31st) and Amit Rohidas ( 54th) were the other scorers.

It was expected to be a goal feast as Indonesians were never a match for the world No 5 Indians. Indonesia got a chance to play in the event only by virtue of being hosts.

The floodgates opened from the onset and continued till the final hooter was blown.

The Indians had 40 shots at the goal out of which they converted 17.

India scored 10 field goals, six from penalty corners and one from the spot.

They converted six out of 11 penalty corners earned. Such was the difference in quality between the two sides that Indonesia had only one crack at Indian goal. India will next play Hong Kong China on Wednesday.

“This was exactly the kind of start we were looking for. We were not chasing any record of winning by maximum goals but a 17- 0 margin in the first match instills confidence especially for the youngsters. The idea was to use different scoring combinations which we had worked on during the National Camp and I am happy with the way the team executed,” stated chief coach Harendra Singh.

The calmness and composure shown by young guns Simranjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Dilpreet Singh was heartening as they led the attack with brilliance. Though in few instances Indonesian defence looked good, it was barely enough to stop the Indians scoring.