Harmanpreet, Sukhjeet score braces as India beat China 5-2 at ACT

India beat China 5-2 (Image: ANI)

Captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Sukhjeet Singh struck twice each as India continued their winning run at the Asian Champions Trophy, defeating a spirited China 5-2 in front of the home crowd at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Thursday.India, who had opened their campaign with a commanding 13-0 win over Bangladesh, had to work harder against a youthful Chinese side but eventually secured their second consecutive victory. Harmanpreet converted two penalty corners, while Sukhjeet scored twice from open play. Jugraj Singh added the fifth goal with another successful set-piece conversion.China, despite their defeat, showed resilience and threatened India at different stages, with Peng Yang and Chongcong Chen scoring from penalty corners.

However, the hosts' attacking quality and ability to capitalise on crucial opportunities proved decisive.

Sukhjeet breaks the deadlock as China put up a fight

India dominated possession and made repeated circle entries from the opening whistle but struggled to create clear-cut chances in the early stages. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 13th minute when Jugraj produced a superb scoop from deep to find Sukhjeet inside the Chinese circle. The forward controlled the ball brilliantly before lifting it over goalkeeper Huanyu Wu.

China earned their first penalty corner in the 18th minute, but India's defence held firm. The hosts then won two successive penalty corners in the 20th minute, only for Harmanpreet to miss the target with his second attempt.The young Chinese side continued to frustrate India's attacks and drew level in the 26th minute. Peng Yang converted their second penalty corner with a drag-flick past goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.India responded almost immediately. A minute later, Harmanpreet restored the hosts' lead with a powerful, low flick from their third penalty corner to make it 2-1.China earned two more penalty corners in the closing stages of the first half but failed to convert either, allowing India to carry a narrow advantage into the break.

Harmanpreet, Sukhjeet extend India's lead

India began the second half on the front foot, and Harmanpreet struck again in the 31st minute, converting another penalty corner with a grounded flick to give the hosts a 3-1 cushion.Three minutes later, Sukhjeet completed his brace. The forward finished off a pass from Aditya Arjun Lalage after the latter controlled an aerial ball from Harmanpreet near the halfway line.China refused to surrender and reduced the deficit in the 36th minute. Chongcong Chen converted their fourth penalty corner with a well-executed variation, bringing the score to 4-2 and keeping the visitors in contention.

India continued to press for more goals. Jugraj saw one of his penalty-corner attempts saved by Wu, but the defender made amends in the 47th minute, unleashing a powerful, grounded flick from a set piece to restore India's three-goal advantage.The hosts earned another penalty corner two minutes before the final hooter, but Harmanpreet's effort was kept out by the Chinese goalkeeper. India, however, had done enough to seal a comfortable 5-2 victory.

India face Japan next

The win gives India a second successive victory in the tournament following their emphatic opening-day triumph over Bangladesh. China, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win after losing 4-5 to Asian Games silver medallists Malaysia on Tuesday.India will next face Japan on Friday, while China take on South Korea as the tournament continues.