India begin title defense campaign with a 3-0 win against hosts China
Defending champions India got off to a slow start while China looked set, creating an early counter-attack opportunity but an alert Krishan Pathak let the ball go out without harm.
The Indian men's hockey team defeated China 3-0 in the opening match for them of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 at the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Sunday. Sukhjeet Singh struck in the 14th minute, followed by Uttam Singh in the 27th minute and Abhishek in the 32nd minute as India secured all three points. Gurjot Singh came up with his India debut in the match against China.
The defending champions, India, got off to a back-foot start as China looked set and managed an early counter-attack, but an alert Krishan Pathak let the ball go out without harm. India pushed China back into the last minutes of the quarter, registering a few circle entries but nothing clear cut, till Jugraj Singh struck the ball hard into the shooting circle and Sukhjeet deflected it into the top corner to make the score 1-0 for India.
It was now India's turn to dictate the pace of proceedings and to push China into their own half as they sat back and tried to equalize on the counter. With a few minutes remaining for the halftime break, Uttam Singh doubled India's lead by heading a stray ball into the net after Raheel's close-range shot was thwarted.
The third quarter saw India come out strong with renewed vigor; Manpreet found Abhishek at the top of the circle, who headed the ball onto the backboard on the half-turn as the score chalked up 3-0 for India.
The last quarter played out in a similar fashion. With 12 minutes left in the game, Gurjot Singh dodged the Chinese defence on the left wing and found Abhishek, whose reverse shot went wide of the goalpost. China's second goalkeeper Weihao Wang saved Harmanpreet's drag flick soon after. China earned a penalty corner with 2 minutes left, which required goalkeeper Suraj Karkera to make the first save of the match. China put pressure on India in the final moments, cornering India in their shooting circle, but Harmanpreet and her team held firm to avert the danger.
Captain Harmanpreet praised the performance after the match and said, "I think we played very well. We created some good chances, but the best part was that we kept a clean sheet. Some new players got a chance to perform and I think they played very well. It is a good opportunity for them to play with Asian teams and mix with the senior team. They are skilled and very talented. I wish them all the best for the future."
