Mokpo (China): Defending champions India made a stunning start to the AHF Junior Men’s Asia Cup Hockey as they thrashed Indonesia 14-0 in their opening Pool A match here on Saturday. Prabhdeep Singh was the star of the show, scoring five goals to emerge as the highest scorer for India and earning the Player of the Match award. Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, the Indian team also began its campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over South Korea.
Of India’s 14 goals against Indonesia in the men’s match, 12 came from Prabhdeep, captain Anmol Ekka and Ajit Yadav. Five-time champions India dominated Indonesia right from the start and maintained a solid defensive structure throughout, preventing the Indonesian forwards from scoring even a single goal. Anmol scored four goals, while Yadav completed a hat-trick. Harpal and Ashu Maurya contributed one goal each.
The Indian forwards repeatedly made inroads into Indonesia’s circle and created several scoring opportunities. They converted most of those chances to complete a comprehensive victory.
India are also the defending champions in the women’s category. In their 4-1 win over South Korea, Sanika Chandrakant Mane, Purnima Yadav, Pooja Sahu and Madhu Sidar scored one goal each for India.
Also Read – Indian athletes get a taste of Japan’s Asian Games container accommodation before departure!