India trounced minnows Oman by 8-0 goals to start their 9th Asia Cup Hockey Championship campaign on a perfect note at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia on Saturday. The Indian team celebrated the 'goalfest' as they scored four goals apiece on both sides of the break.
Mandeep Singh scored goals in the 4th and 40th minute, V R Raghunath in 28th, debutant forward Ramandeep Singh in 17th and 44th, Malak Singh in the 47th, Rupinderpal Singh 34th and SK Uthappa in the 69th minute.
The Indian team meant business from the onset and concentrated mainly on building formations keeping in mind that winning the Asia Cup would reserve a berth in next year's World Cup at The Hague in Netherlands.
Remarkably, the Indians were anticipated to manage the proceedings against Oman and they did that exactly as the game was typically centered around the Oman half. Following commencing on a casual note, the Indians without losing any time tightened up their grip over Oman team and increased continuous raids. Majority of India's build ups emerged from the right flank with Ramandeep Singh and Malak Singh combining well in the opening half.
However, penalty corner conversion still seemed to be a difficult job for India as they utilized just two out of the six that came across their way in the whole span of 70 minutes. The Indians earned their first penalty in the third minute but Rupinderpal's flick was saved by Oman goalkeeper Al Noufali Fahad Khamis Salmeen. Interestingly, an opportunistic Mandeep scored from the resultant rebound to award India a 1-0 lead. Moreover, India enhanced their lead in the 17th minute through an unmarked Ramandeep who scored after receiving a Malak shot from the right flank. Notably, India earned a penalty in the 28th minute when Nithin Thimmaiah was pulled inside the Oman circle and V R Raghunath without any mistake made the scoreline 3-0 from the spot in favor of the Indians. In fact, India could have scored another goal in the next minute but Rupinder's reverse strike from inside the 'D' was saved by the rival custodian.
India increased their lead shortly through Rupinder who converted the team's fifth penalty corner with a high shot that crashed on to the apex right of the Oman goal net. India maintained their domination over Oman. It took India just five minutes during the second half to find the back of the net. Mandeep scored his 2nd goal of the day with an unmistaken perfect reverse flick following being fed by a cross from Chinglensana Singh. Once again, Mandeep was at the thick of things as after four minutes he scored his third goal of the day just after receiving a pass from Ramandeep. Just after three minutes, it was Malak’s turn to register his name in the score-sheet after Dharamvir’s initial strike was saved by the Oman goalkeeper. Subsequently, a diving Uthappa rounded off the tally from the hooter by tapping home Malak's cross from the right flank.
After a rest day tomorrow, India is scheduled to play title holders Korea in the second Pool B match on 26th August.
