Indian Men’s Hockey team pull off historic 16-0 win against Indonesia to progress to the Super 4s in the Asia Cup

The Indian Men’s Hockey team needed a herculean effort against Indonesia Men’s Hockey team in Hero Asia Cup 2022 at the GBK Sports Complex Hockey Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday. The Men in Blue needed to win by a mammoth margin of 15 goals to progress to the next round. The Indian stepped up to the occasion and scored one better to thump the hosts 16-0 as they knocked over Pakistan and progressed to the next round with Japan.

Dipsan Tirkey was the star for India as he scored four goals while Sudev Belimagga also scored a hat-trick in the match with Pavan Rajbhar, SV Sunil and Karthi Selvam all adding braces to their name in a rampant show from the Men in Blue. Apart from that Uttam Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess and Birendra Lakra also scored a goal each in the momentous occasion for Indian hockey.

The Indian Men’s Hockey started the game with a high pace as they knew the target from the start of the game. The Indians showcased their intensity and came out to play a very aggressive brand of play. In the 7th minute, the Men in Blue missed an opportunity to open the scoring  but they did not have to wait for long as the goals went in one after other. Pawan Bajbhar scored two sensational goals in two minutes to give India a 2-0 lead before Uttam Singh scored another goal for the first quarter.

SV Sunil had an immediate impact in the second quarter as he deflected the ball into the Indonesia nets in the 19th minute. Sanjeep Xess immediately added another from a PC as India already took a 5-0 lead. Sunil then again deflected the ball in the next over, extending India’s lead to 6-0 at halftime.

The second half started with Indonesia defending desperately but Karthi Selvam broke the second half deadlock with a  40th minute strike. Captain Birendra Lakra also joined the party as he extended the lead to 8-0. Dipsan Tirkey and Sudev Belimagga scored a goal each to end the third quarter with India holding a 10-0 lead.

The last quarter saw Dipsan score three goals while Sudev Belimagga scored a brilliant brace as India completed a heist by winning 16-0 against Indonesia. The win helped India reach the Super 4s of the Asia Cup as they joined Japan and knocked out Pakistan from the tournament.