Harmanpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh each scored twice as the Indian men’s hockey team produced a truly dominating display to beat Canada 8-0 in their third game and leap to the top of Pool B at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.
Harmanpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh each scored twice as the Indian men’s hockey team produced a truly dominating display to beat Canada 8-0 in their third game and leap to the top of Pool B at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday. Harmanpreet (7th, 54th minute) converted two corners while Akashdeep Singh (38th, 60th) scored two fine field goals. Amit Rohidas (10), Lalit Upadhyay (20), Gurjant Singh (27) and Mandeep Singh (58) are the other goalscorers for India.
With the win, India jumped to the top of the standings ahead of England. The Indians play Wales in their final group game on Thursday.
The Indians recovered from the shock of a 4-4 draw against England after leading 3-0 at one stage in their last game as they came out with more goals and completely dominated Canada in the first two quarters.
India’s first scoring opportunity came in the fifth minute in the form of successive penalty corners but Canada’s Balraj Panesar made a goal-line save to deny Harmanpreet from the second attempt.
But Harmanpreet couldn’t be denied any longer as he gave India the lead two minutes later with a powerful drag-flick from another set piece.
Three minutes later, defender Rohidas scored a brilliant goal. He burst into the circle with his smooth stick and slotted the ball into the net after receiving a long ball that split the defense from Varun Kumar.
Team India continued in the same vein in the second quarter and secured two quick corners in the 19th minute, the second of which resulted in a goal.
Lalit released a loose ball from the rebound after Varun Kumar’s shot was saved by Canadian goalkeeper Ethan McTavish to give India a 3-0 lead.
The Canadian keeper made another fine save in the 24th minute to prevent Abhishek’s counter shot from above the circle. McTavish made another fine save to save Jugraj Singh’s corner.
Seconds later, a diving Gurjant deflected in Hardik Singh’s pass from the left wing to increase India’s lead.
Canada got a corner in the 28th minute but failed to capitalize on it as India entered the first half with a comfortable 4-0 lead.
The Indians continued to press after the change of purpose and launched attack after attack on the Canadian stronghold.
In the 38th minute, Akashdeep scored with a slap in the face after being cleared by a fine one-touch play by captain Manpreet Singh and Nilkanata Singh.
In the fourth and final quarter, McTavish made a double save from a corner to deny Mandeep and Vivek Sagar Prasad.
Canada secured a corner soon after but India kept the chance.
In the last six minutes of the match, India released three more goals which came from the sticks of Harmanpreet, Mandeep and Akashdeep.