Asian Games: India to face arch-rivals Pakistan in hockey semi-final

Image credit: Hockey India

Defending champions India ended their Asian Games group campaign in style, thrashing Bangladesh 10-0 in a rain-hit match on Monday.Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick as India finished at the top of Pool A.

They will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final on October 1.

The other semi-final will see Malaysia take on South Korea.India were unbeaten in the group stage, beating Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea and Bangladesh. They finished with a goal difference of +45.

India score early despite heavy rain

The match started 30 minutes late after heavy rain disrupted the earlier Pakistan-Oman game. The downpour continued during India's match, leaving the pitch waterlogged and making it difficult for both teams to move the ball quickly.India, however, adapted better to the conditions and took the lead in the third minute.Sanjay found Abhishek inside the Bangladesh circle, and the forward shifted to his left before sending his trademark reverse hit past the goalkeeper.Bangladesh had a chance from a penalty corner in the 12th minute, but goalkeeper Suraj Karkera was alert and kicked away Amirul Islam's drag-flick.

Harmanpreet takes control

India doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. Mandeep Singh was blocked inside the circle, resulting in a penalty corner.

Jugraj Singh's drag-flick hit the foot of a defender on the post, and India were awarded a penalty stroke. Jugraj made no mistake to make it 2-0.Five minutes later, Harmanpreet added another. Mandeep created the opening for a penalty corner, and Harmanpreet's powerful flick beat the Bangladesh defence.India went into half-time 3-0 ahead.

India run riot after the break

India increased the pressure after the restart.In the 32nd minute, Dilpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh combined with quick passes to beat the Bangladesh defence.

Sukhjeet then found the open goal to make it 4-0.Harmanpreet struck again in the 40th minute after Vivek Sagar Prasad won a penalty corner.Shilanand Lakra then scored twice in the 44th and 45th minutes as India moved 7-0 ahead.The goals continued to come in the final quarter, with India completing a 10-0 win.

Harmanpreet scored three times, while Abhishek scored three goals, and Jugraj Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra and Sanjay also found the net.

Mandeep Singh scored India's 10th goal.

Two-day break before Pakistan clash

India now have a two-day break before their semi-final against Pakistan on October 1.After finishing the group stage unbeaten and with a +45 goal difference, the defending champions will now turn their attention to a much-anticipated clash against their arch-rivals.