Salalah [Oman], May 24 (ANI): The Indian hockey crew opened their title defence on the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 by defeating Chinese Taipei 18-0 on Wednesday on the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex in Salalah, Oman.
India appeared regular from the beginning, and skipper Uttam Singh’s (10′, 59′) aim opened the floodgates. In the identical minute, vice-captain Dhami Boby Singh (10′) scored India’s second aim.
Araijeet Singh Hundal led the best way with 4 objectives (19′, 19’30’, 59′). India’s tally was elevated by Angad Bir Singh (37′), Aditya Arjun Lalage (37′, 37′), Amandeep (38′, 39′, 41′), and Yogember Rawat (60′), as per Olympics.com.
Only three of India’s 18 objectives got here from free kicks. The first-quarter aim by Sharda Nand Tiwari (11′) and the fourth-quarter objectives by Amir Ali (51′) and Chandura boby Poovanna (54′) each got here from penalty corners.
With three factors and a aim differential of 18, India now leads Pool A. Pakistan is second with a aim distinction of 14 after defeating Chinese Taipei 15-1 on Tuesday.
Japan is third within the factors standings after defeating Thailand 7-1 of their first spherical. Thailand is fourth, whereas Chinese Taipei is final in Pool A’s 5 groups.
The Indian hockey crew will play Japan on Thursday, adopted by matches towards arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday and Thailand on Sunday. The high two groups in every pool will advance to the semi-finals.
Pool B is made up of the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan.
The Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 hockey competitors serves as a qualifier for the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup 2023, which is able to happen in Malaysia in December.
The high three groups within the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023, in addition to the hosts Malaysia, will advance to the quadrennial occasion. (ANI)