India dismiss Kazakhstan 15-0 at Men's Hockey Asia Cup

India 15 - 0 Kazakhstan

Abhishek 5', 8', 20', 58'
Sukhjeet 15', 32', 38'
Jugraj Singh 24', 31', 47'
Harmanpreet 26'
Amit Rohidas 29'
Rajinder Singh 32'
Sanjay 47'
Dilpreet 54'

The Indian men's hockey team quite easily continued their winning run as they smashed Kazakhstan for 15 in the third group stage match in the Men's Asia Cup at Rajgir, Bihar, on Monday.

Abhishek hit 4, Jugraj Singh and Sukhjeet Singh hit a hattrick each, while Harmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Rajinder Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Amit Rohidas had one each.

Abhishek initially started things off with a brilliant hattrick in the first quarter, before the others stepped in. There were sensational dragflicks from Harmanpreet, Sanjay (after captain Harmanpreet asked him to come and take one in his stead), Amit and of course, Jugraj. The latter also converted two penalty strokes with the minimum of fuss.

Rajinder had the pick of the field goals with a lash into the top corner, while Dilpreet's multiple failed attempts to get a goal finally ended when he instinctively flicked in a rebound of his own shot and saw the team burst into smiles.

The result sees India firmly sit atop pool A they will be joined in the Super 4s by China who drew with Japan 2-2 but pipped them to the second qualifying spot thanks to goal difference. In pool B, Malaysia smashed Chinese Taipei 15-0 to seal top spot while they'll be joined by South Korea in the super 4s after they beat Bangladesh 5-1.

India, then, will face each of China, Malaysia and South Korea in the Super 4s round-robin stage, and the top two will advance to the final.

You can relive the action from the game against Kazakhstan right here: