Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh both smashed hat-tricks as India overwhelmed Bangladesh 12-0, securing a spot in the men's hockey semifinals at the Asian Games 2023. Harmanpreet (2nd, 4th, 32nd minutes) converted three penalty corners, while Mandeep (18th, 24th, 46th) also netted thrice, keeping India unbeaten in Pool A.
Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (23rd), Amit Rohidas (28th), Abhishek (41st, 57th), Nilakanta Sharma (47th), and Gurjant Singh (56th) also contributed to India's dominating performance.
India is set to face the second-best team from Pool B in the semifinals on Wednesday. The match saw India's continuous dominance, with goals scored from both penalty corners and field play. They converted seven field goals and five out of 11 penalty corners.
India showcased relentless attacks throughout the game, scoring six goals in each half. Harmanpreet opened the scoring just two minutes into the match with a converted penalty corner. He added another two minutes later from another penalty corner.
Young players Abhishek and Mandeep combined effectively to contribute to field goals. Abhishek assisted in the next two goals, scored by Mandeep and Lalit. Mandeep secured his hat-trick after Harmanpreet's flick from a penalty corner was saved by the Bangladeshi goalkeeper, Mohammed Noyon.
Rohidas also found the net from a penalty corner, giving India a comfortable 6-0 lead at halftime. In the second half, India earned numerous penalty corners, and Harmanpreet completed his hat-trick from one such opportunity. Abhishek added to the tally with an excellent reverse hit goal.
Mandeep and Abhishek collaborated again for India's ninth goal, and Nilakanta scored from a rebound after Abhishek's shot was saved. Although India secured two more penalty corners, Bangladesh defended well. In the final five minutes, Gurjant and Abhishek added two more goals to complete the rout.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
From sleeping in the kitchen to leading Pakistan's pace attack: Haris Rauf recalls hardships growing up as ODI World Cup debut comes calling
'I know what I am:' Asian Games bronze medallist Nandini Agasara's exclusive retort to Swapna Barman's 'transgender' accusations
