Shihao du

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh struck a hat-trick as the Indian men’s hockey team struggled to a 4-3 win against lower-ranked China, coming back from a goal deficit to open their campaign in the Men’s Asia Cup with three points at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium here on Friday.

For India, it was captain Harmanpreet Singh (20’, 33’, 47’) who put in a fantastic performance, as he scored a hat-trick. And whilst Jugraj Singh (18’) was the other Indian player to get onto the scoresheet, China got their goals from Shihao Du (12’), Benhai Chen (35’), and Jiesheng Gao (41’).

Right from the push back, the Indian team were on the front foot, as they attacked with pace. China absorbed the pressure, survived a Penalty Corner, and then started to stitch together a few moves that had India concerned. The pressure eventually paid off for China, as they won a Penalty Corner of their own and then converted with Shihao Du (12’), finding the back of the net. India had to mount a comeback quickly and piled on the pressure on China, ending the first quarter in the ascendancy. However, China led 1-0.