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Harmanpreet Singh-led India wrapped up their group stage campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Kazakhstan 15-0 in their final pool match of the Hockey Asia Cup 2025. Playing in front of a home crowd at the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium in Rajgir, the hosts, who had already sealed their Super 4 berth with a win over Japan, finished at the top of the group with an unbeaten record.
India's goals came through a dominant display from their forwards, with Abhishek (4 goals) (5th, 8th, 20th and 59th) and Sukhjeet Singh (15th, 32nd, 38th) both registering hat-tricks. Jugraj Singh (23rd, 31st) and Harmanpreet Singh (26th and 47th)
scored two goals each, while Amit Rohidas (29th), Rajinder Singh (32nd), Sanjay Singh (54th), Dilpreet Singh (55th) contributed a goal each to complete the 15-0 rout.
Abhishek opened the scoring for India, converting a penalty corner just before the end of the first quarter. The second quarter proved to be the most dominant phase for the hosts, as they netted four goals to take firm control of the match. India continued their onslaught in the third quarter, adding three more goals to extend their lead.
On the other hand, Kazakhstan ended their Asia Cup 2025 campaign without winning a single game as they lost the opening game to Japan by a 7-0 margin before being thrashed by China 13-1.
This was India's third consecutive win in the mega event. The Men in Blue won the tournament opener against China on Friday (August 29) by a 4-3 margin. In their second game, skipper Harmanpreet Singh's brace guided the Asian giants to another victory by a one-goal margin, a 3-2 scoreline. India will now take on Korea in the Super 4 clash of the tournament.
The winner of the continental tournament will qualify for next year's World Cup to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
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