Asian Games 2023 hockey: India beat Bangladesh 12-0 to finish as Pool A toppers

The Indian men’s hockey team extended its winning run at the Asian Games 2023 with a 12-0 victory over Bangladesh at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, on Monday.

Harmanpreet Singh (2’, 4’, 32’), Mandeep Singh (18’, 24’, 46), Lalit Upadhyay (23’), Amit Rohidas (28’), Abhishek (41’, 57’), Nilakanta Sharma (47’) and Sumit (56’) scored in India’s win in their final group stage hockey match.

Courtesy the victory, India topped the Pool A standings at the Asian Games 2023 hockey with 15 points from five matches. The Indian men’s hockey team will play the Pool B runner ups in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

India, third in the FIH world hockey rankings, came into the match on the back of a commanding 10-2 win over arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday. Earlier, India beat Uzbekistan (16-0), Singapore (16-1) and Japan (4-2).

Having already confirmed a semi-final berth heading into the contest, the Indian hockey team took the attack to Bangladesh right from the start. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners in quick succession to give India a 2-0 lead in the first quarter. 

The Indians kept the pressure on the Bangladeshi defence in the second quarter and scored their third. Mandeep Singh received a pass in the striking circle and drilled it past the Bangladesh hockey team goalkeeper.

Minutes later, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay made 4-0 for India through a field goal. Mandeep Singh got his second of the match after he deflected Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick into the goal.

Amit Rohidas then converted a penalty corner to put India 6-0 up at half-time.

After the change of ends, Harmanpreet Singh scored his hat-trick via a penalty corner. Abhishek, Mandeep Singh, Nilakanta Sharma and Sumit added to India’s tally in the last two quarters to wrap up a big win.