Indian men thrash Sri Lanka 8-0 in hockey

September 21, 2014 03:59 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 07:00 pm IST - Incheon

Indian hockey team during a practice session.

Indian hockey team during a practice session.

In its quest for the third gold medal at the Asian Games, India crossed the first hurdle without much ado, and expectedly so, against Sri Lanka in pool B on Sunday. But, it was not a day as insipid as the opening day when there was a deluge of goals making some contests look like a farce.

There were, however, definite indications of the competition getting intensified when judged against the background of the tenacity and fortitude displayed by Bangladesh against Malaysia and China that gave the defending champion Pakistan a lot to think about.

India looked consciously committed to controlling the pace at a sober level without being overtly flashy. The players settled down to a fine rhythm rather than needlessly accelerating to stretch their strength.

A neat deflection by Nikkin Thimmiah put the team ahead after which Rupinderpal (penalty stroke) and Raghunath (penalty corner) increased the lead in the first quarter.

Impressive goals

There were also impressive goals by Chingelsana from the top of the circle, a deft finish by Ramandeep Singh when the second quarter ended. India progressively dominated the match to finish with a handsome 8-0 victory.

Coach Terry Walsh was a bit hesitant to give a good chit to the players and said that the team had to work hard ahead.

The coach was also concerned about the injury that Chandi sustained and hoped that he would be fit for the next match.

For those statistically minded, India has maintained a clean slate against Sri Lanka winning all its 28 matches so far and all the five played in the Asian Games.

China matched its famous rival without a trace of hesitation but it was the class and calibre of Abdul Hassem Khan and Dilbar Muhammad that saved the day for Pakistan.

At one point it looked as though all the euphoria after the 14-0 win against Sri Lanka would vanish. Such was the authority and adeptness of the Chinese goalkeeper, Xu Rui that the Pakistanis felt they were up against a wall.

Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh was generous in his praise for the Chinese goalkeeper. With six points in the kitty, he was looking forward to the India-Pakistan clash on September 25.

That Bangladesh was a transformed side today was confirmed from the way it handled the pressure from Malaysia to keep the score board 1-1 till the end of the third quarter. Only in the last quarter did Malaysia managed to find a few gaps for a creditable 5-1 tally.

The results :

Pool A : Malaysia 5 (Muhammad Razie 2, Abdulla Nibil, Jalil Muhamad, Ahmed Rajuddin) bt Bangladesh 1 (Krishno Kumar Das).

Pakistan 2 (Abdul Hassem Khan, Dilbar Muhammad) bt China 0.

Korea 12 (Lee Namyung 2, Yoo Sungwon, You Hyosik 2, Kang Moonkyo, Hyun Heyseung, Kim Seong Kyn, Jong Jang Hyun 3, Nam Hynwoo 2) bt Singapore 0.

Pool B : India 8 (Rupinderpal Singh 3, Raghunath, Chingelsana, Ramandeep Singh 2, Nikkin Thimmiah) bt Sri Lanka 0.

Monday’s matches (IST):

Women : Pool A: China v Malaysia (9.30 a.m.), India v Thailand (1.30 p.m.).

Pool B : Japan v Hong Kong-China (11.30 a.m.); Korea v Kazaksthan (3.30 p.m.).

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