New Delhi, The Indian hockey team put on a stellar performance in the Asia Cup hockey tournament with a 15-0 victory over Indonesia on Thursday. With this victory, the Indian team has not only reached the knock-out stage of the tournament but has also eliminated Pakistan from the tournament.
India scored six goals in the final quarter of the match. The Indian team needed to win the match against Indonesia at least 15-0 to reach the knockout stage. In such a very stressful situation, the young Indian players performed brilliantly.
India and Pakistan had four points each in Pool-A. On Thursday, Pakistan suffered a 3-2 defeat against Japan. With this victory, India has not only knocked Pakistan out of the Asia Cup but also dashed their hopes for the Hockey World Cup as only the top three teams will get a ticket to the World Cup.
The Indian team will host the World Cup this year, so Hockey India has selected young players for the Asia Cup to gain experience.
Dipsan Tirkey and Sudev Belimagga were instrumental in the victory over Indonesia. Dipsana scored five goals while Belimagga scored three. Veteran SV Sunil, Pawan Rajbhar and Karthi Selvam scored two goals each. While Uttam Singh and Nilam Sanjeep scored one goal each.
It is noteworthy that India and Pakistan faced this in Pool-A. The match was exciting till the last moment. However, in the end the match was drawn 1-1. India held a 1-0 lead till the end of the match but in the last minute Pakistan got a penalty corner and scored a goal to draw the match. SS1MS
