Mandeep Singh (Image credit: X)
Five-time champions India began their title defence at the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in style, crushing Bangladesh 13-0 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Mandeep Singh led the charge with a hat-trick, while captain Harmanpreet Singh , Dilpreet Singh and Hardik Singh scored two goals each.
India’s goal fest continues
Mandeep scored again in the 10th minute, while Shilanand Lakra made it 4-0 just before the first quarter ended. Despite a few good saves by Bangladesh goalkeeper Ashraful Shad, India went into half-time with a comfortable 6-0 lead. Five-time champions India began their title defence at the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in style, crushing Bangladesh 13-0 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.
India dominated the match from the beginning, keeping most of the play inside Bangladesh’s half. Harmanpreet opened the scoring in the second minute with a powerful flick from a penalty corner. A minute later, Mandeep doubled the lead after receiving a clever pass from the skipper. India continued their attacking display in the second quarter, with Abhishek scoring in the 18th minute and Nilakanta Sharma adding another goal in the 26th minute. Harmanpreet soon added his second goal of the match from a penalty corner, taking India’s tally to nine. Mandeep Singh led the charge with a hat-trick, while captain Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Hardik Singh scored two goals each.