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  India on Cloud Nine with China win

India on Cloud Nine with China win

PTI
Published : Oct 26, 2016, 6:51 am IST
Updated : Oct 26, 2016, 6:51 am IST

Akashdeep Singh in action against China in a league match of the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia, on Tuesday. India won 9-0.

Akashdeep Singh in action against China in a league match of the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia, on Tuesday. India won 9-0.

India thrashed China 9-0 to stay in the hunt for top spot in the round-robin league competition of the fourth Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Tuesday.

Akashdeep Singh, Affan Yousuf and Jasjit Singh Kular scored two goals each as India steamrolled the Chinese defence. The Indians were looking to equal their 10-goal feat against Japan in this tournament when the hooter ended the contest.

Rupinder Pal Singh, captaining India on the day, Nikkin Thimmaiah and Lalit Upadhyay also made it to the scoresheet as India boosted their points tally to 10 from four matches, one of which was drawn.

India take on hosts Malaysia on Wednesday with both teams in contention for top place in the league standings. Malaysia have nine points from three successive victories.

Earlier, Pakistan rode on two penalty corner goals from Muhammad Aleem Bilal to survive a scare and prevail 4-3 over Japan.

India went into this game without ace goalkeeper Sreejesh P.R., who was seen wearing a brace on his left ankle. It paved the way for the coaches to give for a full game to goalkeeper Akash Chikte, who did well to ward off two penalty corner shots in a game otherwise played in Chinese territory.

Akashdeep opened the account in the ninth minute and posted the second goal in the 18th minute.

Jasjit swapped passes with Talwinder Singh in the scoring zone before scoring with a fine reverse shot in the 22nd minute before Rupinder converted the first penalty corner three minutes later.

India continued in the same vein in the last two quarters too, to round off a big win.

Location: Malaysia, Pahang, Kuantan