Ipoh: Striker Mandeep Singh came up with his best as he fired three goals, as minus-coach Indian men’s hockey team thrashed Canada 7-3 in the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, here on Wednesday. With this win, the team topped the Pool standings with 10 points from three wins and a draw. and will take on Poland in the last round robin encounter tomorrow, at 13.35 hours.
Mandeep Singh struck in the 20th, 27th and 29th minute after Varun Kumar put them ahead in the 12th minute of play. Amit Rohidas scored the team’s fifth goal in the 39th minute through a PC. Youngsters Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma too contributed to the scoreline with splendid field goals in the 55th and 58th minute respectively that ensured India were on course for the final on Sunday. For Canada, Mark Pearson, Fin Boothroyd and James Wallace scored the goals.
This young side have been raising the bar from every outing, and this scoreline is evident. They took on an unpredictable Canadian side against whom they had won 5-1 when they previously met in the group stage at the 2018 Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar. India made an attacking start that put the opponents on the back-foot early in the match. A quick circle entry by Sumit Kumar Jr resulted in the team winning a PC in the 12th minute which was well-struck by Varun Kumar, scoring his third goal of the tournament.
India built on this momentum in the second quarter and made fierce circle entries. Sumit Kumar Jr once again created a fine opportunity when he assisted a fine pass to Mandeep Singh who simply had to deflect the ball into the post, taking India’s lead to 2-0.
Midfielder Kothajit Singh dispossessed Canadian player to make a brilliant assist to Mandeep from the 25m mark. Mandeep, made no mistake in sending it past Canada’s goalkeeper Antoni Kindler. Mandeep and Sumit remained India’s cynosures in the forward line as the two strikers set up yet another fine goal for India that took the team’s total to a strong 4-0 ahead of half-time. India controlling the game, with good ball possession and tactful play gave fewer opportunities for Canada to comeback.
