Hockey Asia Cup | India bulldoze Bangladesh 7-0, enter second round

India began the game brimming with confidence after their emphatic 5-1 win over Japan in their first game of the campaign, and Bangladesh didn’t provide any resistance whatsoever. India were ruthless in their approach as Harmanpreet Singh earned another brace, while Gurjant Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Amit Rohidas and Ramandeep Singh also added their names to the scoresheet.

The result seemed decided right from the beginning as quick movements saw India lead 3-0 within the first eleven minutes. Gurjant Singh, who was included in the first eleven in this game, opened the account with a deflection following a sublime pass by Akashdeep, who was at the heart of India’s every move.

The provider turned scorer immediately as his clever turn and a bottom corner drive left Bangladesh defence baffled, and India led 2-0. Bangladesh’s defence was easily penetrated again as Upadhyay scored his second field goal of the campaign to make it 3-0.

The story wasn’t very different in the second quarter as India got their fourth goal of the game through Rohidas, who deflected a simple ball home. A clip on Ramandeep Singh inside the box earned India a penalty and Harmanpreet successfully converted it from the spot to make it 5 without reply. Harmanpreet scored his second of the day and fourth of the campaign with a brilliant drag flick, taking India’s score to 6-0.

Ramandeep wrapped things up with a savvy finish from Varun Kumar’s pass-back, ending the game at 7-0, the same scoreline by which Pakistan beat Bangladesh last game. India could have scored many more but for Bangladesh’s goalie Abu Nippon, who grabbed several eyeballs by denying India numerous times from point-blank range.

With the second-round qualification now secured, India prepare for the big game on Sunday when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their final group encounter.