Hangzhou, 2nd October 2023: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team on Monday qualified for the Semi-Final round of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, with a 12-0 win over Bangladesh. With five wins in all their five Pool stage matches, India ended the Pool stage as table toppers. Harmanpreet Singh (2′, 4′, 32′), and Mandeep Singh (18′, 24′, 46) scored hat-tricks each, while Abhishek (41′, 57) scored a brace for India. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (23′), Amit Rohidas (28′), Nilakanta Sharma (47′), and Gurjant Singh (56′) also scored a goal each to help India get the win.
~ Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Amit Rohidas, Abhishek, Nilakanta Sharma and Gurjant Singh scored goals for India ~
Jarmanpreet Singh led the first attack of the match from the right flanks to start the proceedings. The in-form Indian Captain Harmanpreet Singh (2′) was right on target on the first penalty corner as India took an early 1-0 lead. Moments later, Harmanpreet (4′) converted another set-piece to make it 2-0. Despite the early lead, the relentless Indian team continued to press deep, not allowing Bangladesh to make any inroads into their circle, and India maintained their 2-0 lead to close out the first quarter.
The start of the second quarter saw Bangladesh stringing along a few passes inside India’s half, but the attack was broken down by Sanjay. Minutes later, Mandeep Singh (18′) combined with Abhishek inside the circle to make it 3-0 for India. Abhishek provided his second assist of the match as a pass from him was deflected beautifully into the nets by Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (23′). A minute later, Mandeep Singh (24′) picked up a rebound from a penalty corner and struck it into the nets to make it 5-0 for India. Amit Rohidas (28′) showcased his dragflick abilities, scoring from a late penalty corner and India went into halftime with a 6-0 lead.
The second half started with India maintaining possession and looking to increase their lead. As Abhishek managed to earn an early penalty corner for India in the third quarter, Harmanpreet Singh (32′) found the nets again to complete his hat-trick. Amit Rohidas and Nilakanta Sharma defended well as Bangladesh made dangerous runs of their own. Late into the quarter, Abhishek (41′) picked up a long pass and hammered a powerful reverse hit into the nets, and India went into the final quarter with 8-0 lead.
At the start of the final quarter, Mandeep Singh (46′) struck the ball into the nets after receiving an aerial pass from Abhishek. Moments later, Nilakanta Sharma (47′) hit a powerful shot past Bangladesh’s goalkeeper as India took their goal tally to double digits. Exploiting a small gap available on the left flank, Sumit made a late circle penetration and passed the ball to Gurjant Singh (56′) in front of the nets who struck it past the goalkeeper to make it 11-0 for India. A minute later, Abhishek (57′) picked a pass from Gurjant Singh and struck it into the nets as India won the match 12-0.
Indian Men’s Hockey Team will compete in the Semi-Finals on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023.
The matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and live stream on Sony Liv.
HOCKEY INDIA TEAM PARTNERS
Odisha (India’s Best Kept Secret) – Major Team Partner
Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Shiv Naresh
About HOCKEY INDIA
HOCKEY INDIA (HI) is the governing body with exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women’s hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Hockey India was established on 20th May, 2009 and is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
Committed to the development of Hockey in the country, Hockey India with the assistance of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports, Government of India, trains players at sub-junior, junior and senior level. The governing body engages in Coaching the coaches with International Standard certification programs, educates and equips technical officials and umpires to find a foothold in international arena, provides world-class infrastructure and International exposure for the players besides regular international competition. Hockey India has also pioneered in bringing top International hockey events to India such as the FIH Men’s World Cup in 2010 and 2018, FIH Champions Trophy in 2014, FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016 and 2021, FIH Hockey World League Final in 2017. With its vision to popularize the game and constantly promote it, Hockey India brought the Indian Men’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world. Hockey India is also dedicated to getting the Indian Women’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world.
About ODISHA
Odisha – the Eastern State of India – is known for its love for Hockey and over the years it has evolved to be the Global Hub of Hockey. The State successfully hosted the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, followed by the FIH Men’s Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha, FIH Olympic Qualifiers Odisha, and FIH Hockey Pro League 2020-21. Odisha has previously hosted the Champions Trophy 2014 and the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017. Odisha also hosted the FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup in 2021.
Kalinga Lancers, the team owned by the State, were the winners in the Hockey India League 2017. Taking a step further towards realising the dream of restoring the glory of Indian Hockey at the global level, the State is sponsoring the Indian Hockey Teams till 2033.
Odisha also hosted the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.
