NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s hockey team delivered a masterclass in dominance on Tuesday evening, thrashing China 7-0 in a one-sided Asia Cup semifinal that was less a contest and more a statement of intent. The victory, built on goals from six different players, not only books India’s place in the tournament final but also reasserts the nation’s traditional hockey supremacy in the region against a rising rival.
The match, played before a fervent home crowd, saw India control proceedings from the opening whistle. The midfield, orchestrated by veteran playmaker Hardik Singh, dictated the tempo, cutting off supply lines to Chinese forwards and launching wave after wave of attacks. The first goal came early, settling any potential nerves. Young forward Abhishek, who has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, opened the floodgates with a deft deflection from a penalty corner variation.
What followed was a display of offensive firepower that will send a chill through whichever team awaits them in the final. The scoreline was not built on the back of one or two stars, but on a collective, well-oiled machine. Shilanand Lakra, a dynamic presence in the circle, doubled the lead with a powerful reverse-hit after weaving through two defenders. His celebration, a roar towards the stands, encapsulated the team’s confident mood.
By halftime, the result was a foregone conclusion. The third goal, a field effort from drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, who surprisingly had a relatively quiet day from penalty corners, effectively broke China’s spirit. The second half became an exhibition. The fourth goal came from a brilliant team move finished by Mandeep Singh, the fifth from a opportunistic strike by Vivek Sagar Prasad, and the sixth from a penalty stroke converted by Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.
The seventh and final goal, fittingly, came from the bench. Second-half substitute Sukhjeet Singh capped the rout, demonstrating the enviable depth at chief coach Craig Fulton’s disposal. The most telling statistic was not the seven goals, but the six different names on the scoresheet—a nightmare for opposition analysts trying to devise a defensive plan.
For China, the match was a harsh reality check. Their goalkeeper, Wang Caiyu, was arguably their best player, making a series of sharp saves to prevent the margin from becoming truly embarrassing. Their structure, which had held firm in earlier matches, completely disintegrated under the relentless Indian pressure. They failed to earn a single penalty corner, a testament to India’s disciplined defensive structure led by the experienced Amit Rohidas.
The victory is significant beyond the semifinal. In the broader context of Asian hockey, China has invested heavily in the sport, viewing it as a potential area for international success. This resounding defeat, on one of the region’s biggest stages, firmly re-establishes the hierarchy. For India, the performance is a massive confidence booster. The team displayed a killer instinct often missing in past encounters against lower-ranked sides, refusing to take their foot off the pedal and converting their chances with ruthless efficiency.
All eyes now turn to the final. The emphatic nature of this win makes India overwhelming favourites to reclaim the Asia Cup title. The blend of experienced campaigners and fearless youth, all clicking simultaneously, presents a formidable challenge for any opponent. This wasn’t just a win; it was a declaration.
