Ipoh (Malaysia)
Riding on Mandeep Singh’s hat trick India roughshod Canada 7-3 for their third win in the Azlan Shah Cup hockey here on Wednesday. With this win, the team topped the Pool Standings with 10 points from three wins and a draw.
Mandeep Singh hogged the lime light as he scored three successive goals in the 20th, 27th and 29th minute while Varun Kumar opened the score board in the 12th minute converting a penalty corner.
Amit Rohidas scored the team’s fifth goal in the 39th minute while youngsters Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma chipped in with a goal each in the 55th and 58th minute respectively that ensured India were on course for the Final on Sunday. For Canada, Mark Pearson (35′), Fin Boothroyd (50′) and James Wallace (57′) scored the goals.
India who had beaten Canada 5-1 in the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, 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 a penalty corner in the 12th minute which was well-struck by Varun Kumar, scoring his third goal of the tournament.
Eight minutes later, Sumit Jr once again created a fine opportunity for Mandeep Singh who simply deflected the ball in.
Canada were awarded their first penalty corner n the 26th minute, but dragflicker Gordon Johnston sent the ball wide.
Continuing to use full-press to their advantage, India held their sway. 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 set up yet another fine goal for India that took the team’s total to a strong 4-0 ahead of half-time.
India gave fewer opportunities for their rivals to comeback. However, an infringement by a defender gave away Canada’s second PC in the 35th minute. Mark Pearson made no mistake in converting it.
Conceding a goal did not deter India’s game as they powered through with speed and finesse in their attack. Amit Rohidas’s goal in the 39th minute helped India take a 5-1 lead going into the final quarter which saw a goal-fest with both teams scoring two goals each.
Though Canada narrowed the lead to 2-5 in the 50th minute, an excellent long-aerial ball by Varun Kumar to Mandeep in the circle helped him assist Vivek Sagar Prasad score a fine field goal taking the lead to 6-2.
Nilakanta Sharma finished the game for India on a fine note as he converted a good assist from Hardik Sigh in the 58th minute which was a fitting reply to Canada’s previous goal through a PC in the 57th minute by James Wallace