India’s men’s hockey team made a commanding start to their Asian Games title defence, cruising past Indonesia 13-1 in their opening Pool A encounter on Sunday.Dilpreet Singh was the standout performer, finding the net four times as the defending champions produced a dominant display. Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh chipped in with two goals apiece, while Abhishek, Rajinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh were also on target.Indonesia managed a consolation goal through Aulia Al Ardh in the 33rd minute, but India remained firmly in control for most of the contest.The defending champions needed only six minutes to open the scoring. Harmanpreet’s drag flick was kept out by Indonesian goalkeeper Alam Fajar, but Lakra reacted quickest to score from the rebound.Abhishek then doubled India’s advantage in the 12th minute, again finishing off a rebound after Fajar had saved the initial effort.Dilpreet took over from there. He made it 3-0 in the 18th minute after converting an assist from Abhishek before finding the net again just a minute later, guiding Sukhjeet’s pass home from the far post.India’s relentless attacking pressure continued as Rajinder Singh scored from another rebound following a fine attacking move involving Sukhjeet. Mandeep Singh then added another field goal two minutes later to put India 6-0 ahead.The Indians had an opportunity to extend their lead further in the 27th minute when Manpreet Singh was fouled inside the ‘D’ while attempting to convert a rebound. Harmanpreet stepped up for the resulting penalty stroke, but Fajar made a save with his outstretched right leg.Harmanpreet, however, did not have to wait long for his goal. He converted a penalty corner in the following minute to give India a 7-0 advantage at half-time.Indonesia finally found a breakthrough three minutes into the second half. Al Ardh converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute to give his side a consolation goal.India quickly resumed their assault. Lakra scored his second of the match in the 35th minute after receiving a well-weighted pass from Rajinder.Dilpreet completed his hat-trick two minutes later, pouncing on a rebound after Fajar had blocked the initial attempt.Sukhjeet then joined the scoring spree in the 38th minute, finding the net with a field goal to make it 10-1.Jugraj Singh converted India’s next penalty corner in the 47th minute before Sukhjeet struck again a minute later to complete his brace.Dilpreet saved his best for last, adding his fourth goal in the 49th minute to complete India’s 13-1 victory.India will next face Sri Lanka on Tuesday.The match also marked the first Asian Games appearance of India’s new primary saffron kits. Despite Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey’s earlier claim that both Indian teams would wear their traditional blue jerseys at the Games, the men’s and women’s sides have instead turned out in the saffron kits first worn during the recent World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
