The Indian men’s hockey team delivered a stunning 7-2 victory against their arch-rivals China in the opening match of the Asian Champions Trophy 2023. The electrifying contest took place at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, leaving the home crowd in awe of their team’s exceptional performance. Right from the outset, India asserted their dominance with an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter, courtesy of a remarkable brace from none other than their captain, Harmanpreet Singh. Displaying incredible precision, Singh converted back-to-back penalty corners, setting the tone for the relentless onslaught that was to follow. The first quarter concluded with a score of 3-0, as Sukhjeet managed to find the back of the net as well. The second quarter witnessed an early goal by Akashdeep, extending India’s lead to an imposing 4-0. However, a momentary lapse in the Indian defense allowed China’s Wenhui to capitalize and score, rekindling their hopes of a comeback. Yet, India’s response was swift and resounding. Varun, showcasing his brilliance, converted a penalty corner to notch India’s fifth goal, effectively maintaining their dominance. China managed to reduce the deficit with a goal from Jiesheng Gao, making the score 5-2 at halftime. As the match progressed, India’s unrelenting spirit continued to shine. Varun once again showcased his finesse with another goal in the dying moments of the second quarter, elevating India’s lead to a commanding 6-2. The third quarter saw Mandeep’s impeccable deflection from a drag flick, securing India’s grip on the game with a 7-2 advantage.
