Young striker Mandeep Singh netted a hat-trick as India blanked minnows Oman 8-0 to start their 9th Asia Cup Hockey Championship campaign on a perfect note at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium on Saturday. The Indian team indulged in ‘Goal Fest’ as they scored four apiece on either side of the break. For the winners, Mandeep (4th minute, 40th, 44th) struck thrice, while Ramandeep (17th), VR Raghunath (28th), Rupinderpal Singh (34th), Malak Singh (47th) and SK Uthappa (69th) sounded the board once.
Knowing fully well that winning the Asia Cup would guarantee a place in next year’s World Cup at The Hague, Netherlands, the Indians meant business from the onset and concentrated mainly on building formations. The Indians were expected to control the proceedings against Oman.
Dominant India punish sloppy Oman
IPOH (MALAYSIA): A comprehensive win might have been achieved, but India’s interim coach Roelant Oltmans feels his team was a bit sloppy in the second half of its Asia Cup hockey tournament opener against Oman. ‘It was a regular win. We played very well in the first half, but in the second half we were a bit sloppy.
But it happens because it is difficult to give your 100 per cent concentration throughout the match, especially when you are 7-0, 8-0 up. The heat took a toll on us (in the second half),’ the coach said after the Indians posted an 8-0 win at the Sultan Azlan Shah stadium here. ‘But I am happy with the overall performance. It’s always nice to get on the points tally.’ He lauded captain. Sardar is a great player when he is great shape.