CHENNAI: India will begin their Asian Games 2023 men's hockey campaign against Uzbekistan, in Hangzhou on Sunday.
The team is led by Harmanpreet Singh, if they win gold, then they won't have to go through the qualifying tournament. India are currently placed in Pool A, alongside Japan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore and Uzbekistan.
The men in blue will open their campaign at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday.
India have registered a 16-0 victory over Uzbekistan to start their Asian Games campaign. Lalit Upadhyay and Varun Kumar scored 4 goals each, while Mandeep Singh scored a hat-trick in a dominating performance by the Men in Blue.
Match begins!
Men in blue begins with a couple of passes together as they make their way upfield in the opening minutes of the game.
7th minute:
First Goal for India!!!
Lalit Kumar scores off a rebound after the ball bounces off the goalpost.
12th Minute:
A counter-attack from Uzbekistan, Indian Hockey Goalkeeper Sreejesh saves it.
India gets its second goal as Varun Kumar’s drags flick hits the goal as he sends the ball into the net with an incredibly powerful strike.
(IND 2-0 UZB)
Second quarter begins
17th Minute:
Abhishek’s takes quick shot leaves Davlat gapping as the ball goes into the goal for India’s third goal.
18th Minute - India strikes again!! (IND 4-0 UZB)
India's Mandeep scores after a quick pass, within the gap of one minute, scores yet another one against Uzbekistan.
24th Minute: (IND 5-0 UZB)
Lalit scores his second goal of the match, gets India its fifth goal against Uzbekistan.
Another goal for India! (IND 6-0 UZB)
Mandeep gets his second goal before halftime.
Mandeep gets his hattrick as he nets India’s seventh strike leads 7-0 vs Uzbekistan. (IND 7-0)
Its Half time!!
Third quarter begins!
Men in blue are on the attack right from the whistle.
The penalty corner turned into penalty stroke as Varun Kumar scores again. (IND 8-0 UZB)
India leads as Sukhjeet nets his first strike in the game. (IND 9-0 UZB)
Amit Rohidas gets into action as he takes the scoreline into the double digits with his strike. (IND 10-0 UZB)
Yellow card for India
Gurjant Singh gets a yellow card for rough tackle to the Uzbek defender.
Abhishek and Sukhjeet combine to score near the goalpost to enter the goal. (IND 11-0 UZB)
Lalit Kumar strikes and takes lead for India scoring 12-0 against a lower ranked Uzbekistan
Fourth quarter begins!
Varun Kumar scores off the drag flick and gets a hat-trick for India. (IND 13-0 UZB)
Varun scores his fourth goal as Hardik hits the ball from right side of the goal. (IND 14-0 UZB)
Men in blue leads the game as Sukhjeet and Lalit combine, scores another goal (IND 15-0 UZB)
Jarmanpreet Singh almost gets India but the Uzbek defence does its work and misses the goal.
Sanjay finally scores with a drag flick as India leads 16-0 against Uzbekistan in a dominant game in hockey.
Full time!
Men in blue wins in fourth quarter over their opening round opponents Uzbekistan. (IND 16-0 UZB)
End of live updates!
