Photo/Hockey India
JALANDHAR: India battled past China 5-2 in their second fixture of the Asian Champions Trophy here on Thursday. For the hosts, skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh each recorded a brace, while Jugraj Singh added another. For China, Yang Peng and Chen Chongcong scored.
But India got another chance, and Jugraj made it count this time with a powerful strike that sent the stadium into a roar of “Chak De India!” as the hosts stretched the lead to 5-2. India broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Sukhjeet Singh flawlessly lifted the ball over advancing goalkeeper Huanyu Wu after receiving a pass from Jugraj Singh. In the action-packed second quarter, China searched for an equaliser and found it in the 26th minute, with Yang Peng putting the ball past custodian Krishan Pathak from a penalty corner. India came out firing in the third quarter, earning a penalty corner within two minutes. Hardik Singh fed Harmanpreet (31st minute), who again delivered with a powerful flick between the goalkeeper’s legs. Three minutes later, Sukhjeet swelled the lead, deflecting in a long pass from Aditya Lalage. China refused to give up and began creating opportunities. India began the final quarter with a two-goal cushion and wasted little time in looking to extend it, earning a penalty corner within the first two minutes. Jugraj Singh’s first attempt missed.