Harmanpreet hat-trick powers India’s 10-0 rout, Pakistan awaits in semis

AICHI-NAGOYA, Sept 28: Captain Harmanpreet Singh struck a hat-trick as India completed their Asian Games men's hockey pool campaign in emphatic fashion, hammering Bangladesh by 10-0 on Monday to set up a semifinal clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.

Harmanpreet was at the heart of India's attacking surge, scoring three times as the defending champions completed a perfect five-win Pool A campaign.

The skipper first found the net in the 27th minute to give India a 3-0 lead before half-time. He struck again in the 40th minute and completed his hat-trick in the 45th as India turned a comfortable advantage into a rout.

Abhishek opened the scoring in the third minute, while Jugraj Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 22nd minute.

Sukhjeet Singh added another in the 32nd minute before Shilanand Lakra struck twice in the 44th and 45th minutes. Sanjay and Mandeep Singh completed the scoring in the final two minutes.

India had to negotiate difficult conditions after heavy rain affected the playing surface, but the Olympic champions maintained their attacking intensity and finished with another commanding victory.

The 10-0 win took India's tally to 49 goals in five pool matches, while they conceded just four.

India had earlier defeated Indonesia 13-1, Sri Lanka 16-1, South Korea 8-2 and Japan 2-0.

The perfect pool-stage run now gives Harmanpreet's side a mouth-watering semifinal against Pakistan on Thursday, with a place in the Asian Games final at stake.

The other semifinal will feature Malaysia and South Korea.

Harmanpreet's hat-trick provides further evidence of India's potent penalty-corner threat, but the captain and his team will face a significantly tougher test against Pakistan as they enter the knockout stage. (UNI)