Daijiworld Media Network - Ipoh
Ipoh, Nov 29: In a dazzling display of attacking hockey, the Indian senior men’s team routed Canada 14-3 to top their pool and advance to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Saturday.
After a narrow loss to Belgium earlier in the tournament and a thrilling 3-2 win against New Zealand, India started strongly against Canada. Nilakanta Sharma opened the scoring in the fourth minute, followed by Rajinder Singh in the 10th. Canada responded quickly with a penalty corner conversion by Brendan Guraliuk, but India pulled ahead with goals from Jugraj Singh (12th minute) and Amit Rohidas (15th minute), taking a 4-1 lead.
The momentum continued in the second quarter, with India’s younger players stepping up in a tournament where some senior stars were rested. Rajinder Singh (24th minute), Dilpreet Singh (25th), and Jugraj’s second (26th) extended India’s lead to 7-1. Canada managed a penalty stroke in the 35th minute through Matthew Sarmento, but India responded with Jugraj’s hat-trick goal (39th) and Selvam Karthi (43rd), making it 9-2.
The final quarter saw six more goals as India capitalized on every opportunity. Amit Rohidas scored a penalty corner (46th), Jugraj converted another stroke (50th), and Canada’s Jyothswaroop Sidhu scored from a PC to make it 11-3. India’s Sanjay and Abhishek then added three more goals, including Abhishek’s double in the 57th and 59th minutes, to close the match at 14-3.
India will face Belgium in the final on Sunday, aiming to avenge their earlier narrow defeat and lift the prestigious trophy.