Nagoya, September 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India began their Asian Games men’s hockey title defence in emphatic fashion, thrashing Indonesia 13-1 in their opening Pool A encounter on Sunday.
Eight different Indian players found the net, with Dilpreet Singh leading the scoring with four goals as the defending champions produced a clinical attacking display from start to finish. India will next face Sri Lanka in their second Pool A match on September 22.
India made a flying start when Shilanand Lakra converted a rebound off Harmanpreet Singh’s saved drag-flick in the sixth minute. Abhishek then doubled the lead in the 12th minute, finishing a rebound after Indonesia goalkeeper Alam Fajar had parried the initial effort.
Fajar made a couple of early saves to keep out Mandeep Singh, but India maintained their momentum and ended the opening quarter with a 2-0 lead.
The second quarter turned into a goal rush for India. Dilpreet Singh scored twice within two minutes in the 18th and 19th minutes before Rajinder Singh added another in the 19th minute. Mandeep Singh then opened his account for the tournament in the 21st minute.
Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute after earlier seeing his penalty stroke saved by Fajar. India went into half-time with a commanding 7-0 lead.
Indonesia pulled one back early in the third quarter when captain Aulia Al Ardh converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute. The decision was confirmed in Indonesia’s favour following a video referral.
India responded immediately, with Shilanand Lakra scoring his second goal in the 35th minute. Dilpreet completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute before Sukhjeet Singh joined the scoring in the 38th minute to give India a 10-1 lead at the end of the third quarter.
India continued their relentless attack in the final quarter. Jugraj Singh converted India’s second penalty corner attempt in the 47th minute after his first effort was blocked by the first rusher.
Sukhjeet Singh then scored his second goal in the 48th minute, finishing a well-worked move after a driving run down the right flank.
Dilpreet completed his four-goal haul in the 49th minute, deflecting the ball into the net after an initial touch from Abhishek to take India’s lead to 13-1.
India comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to begin their title defence with a comprehensive victory.
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