Asian powerhouse hammer China 9-0 riding on three goals each from Akashdeep, Yousuf and Jasjit to stay in the hunt for top spot of the league
Akashdeep (left) fires a shot during the Asian Champions trophy tie vs China in Malaysia yesterday
Akashdeep (left) fires a shot during the Asian Champions trophy tie vs China in Malaysia yesterday
Kuantan (Malaysia): India thrashed China 9-0 to stay in the hunt for top spot in the round-robin league competition of the fourth Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here yesterday.
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Akashdeep Singh, Yousuf Affan and Jasjit Singh Kumar scored three goals each as India steamrolled the Chinese defence. The Indians were looking to equal their 10-goal feat against Japan in this tournament when the hooter ended the contest.
Rupinder Pal Singh, captaining India in this contest, Nikkin Thimmaiah and Lalit Upadhyay also made entries in the score-sheet as India boosted their points tally to 10 from four matches.
India will take on hosts Malaysia today with both teams in contention for top spot in the round-robin league standings. Malaysia have nine points from three successive victories.
"Any coach will be pleased with his team scoring nine goals. We know that the game against Malaysia will be a tough one. Playing Malaysia in Malaysia is a serious match for any side," India coach Roelant Oltmans said, promising that his players will go out charging for a victory that would secure them the top berth in the league standings.
India went into this game without ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who was seen wearing a brace on his left ankle. This paved the way for the coaches to give for a full game to goalkeeper Akash Chikte, who did well to ward off two penalty corner shots in a game otherwise played in the Chinese territory.
Akashdeep opened the Indian account in the ninth minute and was also in the picture in the 18th minute. India's highest goal-getter with eight penalty corner conversions in this tournament, Rupinder is also the highest scorer of the tournament so far. Rupinder sent the second Indian penalty corner into the net, but the goal was cancelled.
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