India thrash Sri Lanka 16-1 in Asian Games hockey

NAGOYA: India continued their winning run in the men’s hockey competition at the Asian Games with a commanding 16-1 victory over Sri Lanka in their Pool A encounter on Tuesday. It was India’s second successive win in the tournament after their 13-1 victory over Indonesia in the opening match. Jugraj Singh scored four goals, while Abhishek and Dilpreet Singh completed hat-tricks in a dominant performance by the Indian side.

India took the lead in the fifth minute through Mandeep Singh before Jugraj doubled the advantage in the 10th minute. Abhishek made it 3-0 a minute later, and captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 16th minute. Abhishek added his second in the 17th minute before Jugraj struck again in the 22nd. Sukhjeet Singh scored in the 29th minute and Dilpreet added another in the 30th as India went into the interval with an 8-0 lead.

India showed no signs of easing off after the break. Manpreet Singh scored in the 31st minute, followed by Vivek Sagar Prasad in the 36th and Dilpreet in the 38th. Jugraj completed his hat-trick in the 42nd minute, while Harmanpreet scored his second three minutes later to put India 13-0 ahead.

Abhishek completed his hat-trick in the 49th minute before Sri Lanka pulled one back through Suresh Rathnayake in the 50th. It was Sri Lanka’s first goal against India in Asian Games hockey. India, however, continued to attack, with Jugraj scoring his fourth in the 53rd minute and Dilpreet completing his hat-trick in the 55th to seal a 16-1 victory.