Asian Champions Trophy: India Make Rollicking Start To Title Defence With 13-0 Win Over Bangladesh

Asian Champions Trophy: India make rollicking start to title defence with 13-0 win over Bangladesh (India make rollicking start to title defence with 13-0 win over Bangladesh in the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Tuesday. Photo credit: Hockey India)

Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium:  Mandeep Singh scored a hat-trick, while Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Hardik Singh scored twice each as the Indian men's hockey team began the title defence at the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 with a commanding 13-0 win over Bangladesh at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Tuesday.

Mandeep Singh completed his hat-trick in the 3rd, 10th and 54th minutes, while captain Harmanpreet Singh (2', 44'), Dilpreet Singh (43', 44') and Hardik Singh (60', 60') scored twice each. Shilanand Lakra (15'), Abhishek (18'), Nilakanta Sharma (26') and Jugraj Singh (46') were the other goalscorers for India.

The evening ended on an emotional note as Nilakanta announced his retirement from international hockey, marking this tournament as his last appearance in the India jersey.

India started strong and earned a penalty corner in the second minute, which Harmanpreet converted with a drag-flick to open the scoring. A minute later, Mandeep collected a pass from Harmanpreet at the top of the circle and found the net with a reverse-hit to double India's lead. Bangladesh had a chance in the fourth minute, but Lakra cleared the ball.

Mandeep scored again in the 10th minute, finishing from close range after Harmanpreet's aerial ball found Abhishek, who played it into the circle. Lakra added the fourth goal in the 15th minute following a move involving Sukhjeet Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalage.

India continued their attacking play in the second quarter, with Abhishek making it 5-0 in the 18th minute after receiving a pass from Mandeep on the left and finding space inside the circle. Nilakanta added another in the 26th minute with a reverse-stick shot from the top of the circle.

Bangladesh goalkeeper Ashraful Shad made a fine save against Nilakanta earlier in the quarter, but India went into half-time with a comfortable 6-0 lead.

Bangladesh managed to hold the ball for longer spells in the third quarter, but India continued to create chances. Dilpreet converted a penalty corner in the 43rd minute before scoring again from open play a minute later. Harmanpreet then converted another penalty corner in the 44th minute to take India's lead to 9-0.

India added another in the first minute of the final quarter, with Jugraj converting a penalty corner in the 46th minute. Mandeep completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute, stretching to turn in a cross from Aditya.

India kept looking for more goals in the closing stages. Hardik scored his first goal in the 60th minute after Bangladesh managed to block a PC. Hardik then scored again moments later, finishing a move that began with Harmanpreet's pass to Dilpreet, who laid the ball off for Hardik to guide it into the net as India completed the 13-0 win with the passionate supporters waving the Indian tricolour in the stands.

The match was preceded by a glittering opening ceremony, marking the return of international hockey to Punjab. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, unveiled the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 trophy and was felicitated by Bhola Nath Singh, Vice President, Asian Hockey Federation and Secretary General, Hockey India, and Nitin Kohli, President, Hockey Punjab and Associate Vice President, Hockey India.

The ceremony featured traditional Punjabi dance forms Bhangra and Giddha, along with performances by exponents of Gatka, the Sikh martial art. Punjabi singer Ninja also performed, while a musical performance and fireworks added to the celebrations as Jalandhar welcomed Asia’s leading hockey teams.

In the other matches on the opening day, Malaysia beat China 5-4, while Japan defeated South Korea 3-2. India finished the first day at the top of the standings with three points and a goal difference of +13.

The six-team tournament follows a single round-robin format, with each team playing the other five sides once. The top four teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the semi-finals.

In the other matches on the opening day, Malaysia beat China 5-4, while Japan defeated South Korea 3-2. India finished the first day at the top of the standings with three points and a goal difference of +13.

Article Source: IANS