The Indian men's hockey team concluded its group stage campaign with a dominant 15-0 victory over Kazakhstan, securing the top spot in Pool A at the Asia Cup. Playing under cooler evening conditions for the first time in the tournament, the host nation barely broke a sweat in the final group match, a performance that sets a confident tone for their upcoming Super 4s clash against defending champion Korea.
The match was a goal fest from the start, as anticipated. Abhishek opened the scoring in the fifth minute, and India went into the first break with a 3-0 lead. By halftime, the score had ballooned to 7-0.
The team continued its relentless pressure, scoring three more goals in the first two minutes of the third quarter and an additional five by the end of the match. The lopsided score reflected India's complete control, as they secured 13 penalty corners while allowing Kazakhstan only two.
The win came against a backdrop of an extreme mismatch in skill. Kazakhstan, ranked 81st in the world and a late inclusion in the tournament, had barely a week to prepare for the event.
Their lack of competitive experience against top-tier teams was evident, with India entering their circle and taking shots at their goal almost every minute. The contest was a display of the stark difference between a global hockey powerhouse and a team with limited international play.
Despite the easy nature of the win, the match served a purpose for the Indian team. It provided a chance for players who were struggling, like Dilpreet Singh and Sanjay, to get on the scoresheet and build confidence ahead of tougher matches.
Abhishek finished as the top scorer with four goals, while Sukhjeet Singh and Jugraj Singh each scored three. The players acknowledged that the real test awaits them in the Super 4s.
While India’s progression was expected, the other Pool A result delivered a surprise. China advanced to the Super 4s at the expense of Japan, holding the 2018 Asian Games champions to a 2-2 draw. The result allowed the world No. 22 Chinese side to finish second in the group on goal difference, a significant upset in the tournament. India will now carry its momentum into the next stage, where it will face defending champion South Korea.