Kakamigahara, September 20: Defending Asian Games gold medalists, India started their Asiad campaign in dominant fashion as they thrashed Indonesia in the opening match of Pool A on Sunday, with Dilpreet Singh leading the scoring charge for the men in blue with four goals.
Dilpreet found the net in the 18th, 19th, 37th and 49th minutes, while Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh contributed two goals each. Abhishek, Rajinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh were also on target for India.
India made their intentions clear early, taking the lead in the sixth minute when Shilanand converted a rebound after Harmanpreet's drag flick was kept out by Indonesia goalkeeper Alam Fajar.
Abhishek doubled the advantage in the 12th
minute, reacting quickly after Fajar saved the initial attempt. Dilpreet then took over, scoring twice in quick succession to put India 4-0 ahead. Rajinder and Mandeep added further goals as India continued to dominate possession and territory.
Harmanpreet had earlier missed a penalty stroke after Manpreet Singh was fouled inside the circle, but the captain made amends moments later by converting a penalty corner to give India a commanding 7-0 lead at half-time.
Indonesia managed a consolation goal early in the second half through Aulia Al Ardh, who converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute. India, however, quickly regained control, with Shilanand scoring again before Dilpreet completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute.
Sukhjeet added his first shortly after, while Jugraj converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute. Sukhjeet then scored his second before Dilpreet completed his four-goal haul in the 49th minute to round off a comprehensive victory.
India will next face Sri Lanka on Tuesday as they continue their Pool A campaign. The Indian men's and women's teams also wore their new primary saffron kits, which they had first donned during the recent World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
