FIH Series Finals | India rout Uzbekistan 10-0 to storm into the semis
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India has got the better of Uzbekistan by a huge margin of 10-0 goals in their last group stage encounter in the ongoing FIH Series Finals at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Indian forward Akashdeep Singh was the star of the day as he registered a hat-trick in this dominating Indian victory.
The difference in the FIH World Rankings (India 5th, Uzbekistan 43rd) predicted a tough challenge for the Uzbek side. Despite their remarkable heart and engagement shown throughout the Pool phase, that proved to be the case.
India dominated in the first quarter converting three penalty corners into three goals from Varun Kumar, Akashdeep Singh and Amit Rohidas.
A similar pattern followed in the next quarter. Varun Kumar and Akashdeep Singh each scored a second goal, while Nilakanta Sharma and Mandeep Singh ensured that their names were displayed on the scoresheet before half-time.
The tempo decreased in the second half. The hosts were enjoying most of the ball possession and added another goal shortly before the end of the third quarter, with Gursahibjit Singh concluding a fine three-player combination.
In the last quarter, Akashdeep Singh scored his hat-trick, slotting the ball home from short distance, before Mandeep Singh rounded his team’s domination with the tenth goal of the night.
