Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar Lead the Charge with Spectacular Goals

CHENNAI: The Indian hockey team kicked off their campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy with a stunning 7-2 victory over China at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar led the charge, scoring two goals each to secure a resounding win for India.

In a scintillating display of attacking prowess, India wasted no time asserting their dominance on the field. Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring with a swift strike in the fifth minute, catching the Chinese defense off guard. The Indian skipper struck again just three minutes later, leaving the opposition reeling at the back.

Not to be outdone, Varun Kumar showcased his penalty corner expertise, converting two set-piece opportunities in the 19th and 30th minutes, further bolstering India's lead. At halftime, India commanded a commanding six-goal advantage, setting the tone for a lopsided encounter.

The third quarter saw India continue their offensive onslaught, with Sukhjit Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Mandeep Singh joining the goal-scoring frenzy. Sukhjit Singh added another goal in the 15th minute, while Akashdeep Singh found the back of the net in the 16th minute with a brilliant field goal. Mandeep Singh further extended India's lead with a goal in the 40th minute.

For China, Wenhui Ye managed to break through India's defense and scored in the 18th minute, while Jisheng Gao found the target in the 25th minute, providing some consolation amidst the Indian onslaught. Despite their efforts, China could not muster any goals in the fourth quarter, as India tightened their defense to secure a comprehensive victory.

India's exceptional performance showcased their versatility, as they capitalized on both open-play opportunities and penalty corners. While Akashdeep's field goal stood out as a testament to India's attacking flair, the majority of their goals came from well-executed penalty corners, a testament to the team's strategic planning and execution.With this impressive win under their belt, the Indian hockey team now looks ahead to their next challenge against Japan on Friday.