The Indian mens hockey team defeated Uzbekistan 16-0 in the opening clash of the Asian Games 2023 at Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou on Sunday.For India, Lalit Upadhyay scored four goals in 7th, 24th, 37th, and 53rd minutes Varun Kumar scored four goals in 12th, 36th, 50th, and 52nd minutes Mandeep Singh scored three goals in 18th, 27th, and 28th minutes and Abhishek, Amit Rohidas, Sukhjeet, Shamsher, Shamsher Singh and Sanjay scored one goal each in 17th, 38th, 42th, 43th and 57th minutes, respectively.Right on topWith this victory, three-time Asian Games champions India climbed to the top of the table in the Asian Games 2023 mens hockey Pool A standings. The top two teams from each pool will make the semi-finals.Congratulations to our Indian hockey team on their remarkable 16-0 victory against Uzbekistan to kick off the Asian Games! 🏑🇮🇳 Your dedication and skill shine bright, and were proud of your incredible start. Keep the fire burning! 🔥🥇 #HockeyIndia #AsianGames2023 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/2dTmTO2aAl— Dilip Kumar Tirkey (@DilipTirkey) September 24, 2023 Indias mens hockey team, ranked third in the FIH rankings, came into the Asian Games on the back of their Asian Champions Trophy title win last month.Despite starting without regular skipper Harmanpreet Singh, India went aggressive right from the start of the play, forcing world No. 66 Uzbekistan to act on defense. Indias constant pressure on Uzbekistans goal affected the results immediately.Was a walk in the park for the Indian mens hockey team here at Hangzhou Scoreline 16-0 against Uzbekistan Final goal coming from Manpreet off the 18th PC.Earlier Sukhjeet got his first goal of the tournament scoring Indias 9th#AsianGames #HockeyTwitter @TheHockeyIndia… pic.twitter.com/3rdNRmzIcp— Sundeep Misra (@MisraSundeep) September 24, 2023 India took an undebatable 7-0 lead into halftime. After halftime, a relentless India scored nine more goals to the tally and completed a 16-0 win over Uzbekistan.The Indian mens hockey team will play its next match in Singapore on Tuesday. The mens hockey games at the Asian Games 2023 will provide a platform as an Olympic qualifier, and the champion of the event will secure a place in the Paris Olympics 2024.Asia
