India thrashes Poland in the FIH Champions Challenge I
Regardless of India failing to start the FIH Champions Challenge I on a positive note, it looks like it has finally found some impetus to clinch victories. The Indian men’s hockey team blanked Poland, 7-0, for their second straight win, on November 29, at
the Randburg Hockey Stadium, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Yuvraj Walmiki and Tushar Khandker were the real architects of the Indian victory, who notched two goals apiece during the seventy-minute play.
With another heavy margin win, India grabbed the top position in the Pool A, and will face Malaysia in the quarter-final stage.
India managed a draw against Canada and overpowered South Africa by 7-4 in the previous games. On the other hand, Poland failed to win any game in the preliminary round.
Earlier on, Poland was beaten by South Africa and Belgium, by 3-1 and 7-3, respectively, in the first two encounters.
The Indian team had only one thing in its mind when it started the game and that was: victory with a heavy margin. With the same mental level, it began the game and accomplished back to back attacks.
However, India took 19 minutes to open its score-account against Poland. Yuvraj Walmiki managed the maiden goal for his side from a field effort.
In a matter of four minutes, Shivendra Singh received a pass from Danish Mujtaba, sending a powerful tap into the cage and doubling the tally to 2-0.
In a counterattack, the Polish team found a sure goal chance, but it failed to score. Tomasz Gorny found himself alone at the top of the circle but his hit was blocked by the goalposts.
With two minutes left in the first half of play, Walmiki scored another goal, expanding the lead for India up to three notches, 3-0. In the first half Poland was trailing behind by three goals.
The Indian team resumed the play with blazing guns that further stretched the lead. Manpreet Singh and his teammate, Birendra Lakra, added one goal each, taking the score to 5-0.
Despite making few penetrations, Poland failed to open its score-account in the game. Tushar Khandker came to life in the later part of the game, scoring a couple of goals in the 55th and 70th minutes, respectively, for India.
The Indian defenders did not lose grip over the game on any occasion, which prevented them from encountering any retaliation from Poland.
After seventy minutes of play, the Indian men’s hockey team won the match by 7-0.
India will play against Malaysia in the quarter-final stage. In the remaining encounters of the knockout stage, Belgium will take on Canada while Argentina will fight against Poland.
South Africa, the host team, will face Japan for a semi-final berth. After one day’s rest, the quarter-final games will be held on December 1.
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