Defending five-time champions India kicked off their AHF Junior Men's Asia Cup campaign with a statement performance, overwhelming Indonesia 14-0 in their opening Pool A fixture in Moqi, China. The dominant display was spearheaded by the trio of Prabhdeep Singh, skipper Anmol Ekka, and Ajeet Yadav, who combined to score 12 of the team's 14 goals.
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India annihilate Indonesia in Junior Men's Hockey Asia Cup
Prabhdeep led the goal rush with a five-goal masterclass that earned him Player of the Match honors. Captain Anmol chipped in with four conversions, while Yadav notched a hat-trick. Harpal and Ashu Maurya added a goal each to complete the lopsided scoreline. India set an aggressive tone right from the opening whistle, relentlessly pressing the opponent's defense. Prabhdeep drew first blood in the fifth minute, before Harpal doubled the advantage three minutes later, leaving an outmatched Indonesian side unable to contain India's pace and fluidity.
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Prabhdeep Singh's five-goal masterclass
India maintained their aggressive momentum in the second quarter, doubling their lead before the interval. Captain Anmol Ekka opened his account in the 16th minute by converting a penalty stroke, before Ajeet Yadav pushed the scoreline to 4-0 just four minutes later. Prabhdeep Singh then took complete control of the quarter, striking in the 26th and 30th minutes to seal a first-half hat-trick and send India into the break with a commanding 6-0 advantage. The third period brought no relief for Indonesia as India kept up their relentless territorial pressure.
Anmol flexed his prowess from set-pieces, executing penalty corners in the 35th and 42nd minutes to extend his tally. Late in the quarter, Prabhdeep added yet another field goal to push the margin to 9-0 heading into the final frame. A five-goal flurry in the fourth quarter capped off the dominant performance. Anmol secured his fourth goal in the 51st minute, quickly followed by Prabhdeep’s fifth strike a minute later. Yadav then completed a rapid hat-trick with two clinical finishes in the 53rd minute, bringing India to 13-0. Ashu Maurya put the finishing touches on the blowout, slotting home a 59th-minute penalty corner to seal a resounding 14-0 win.
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