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India Wins The First Match In Hockey Asia Cup. Defeats China 4-3

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Rajgir
  • Aug 29, 2025
  • 511

Host India has won its first match in the Hockey Asia Cup 2025. India defeated China 4-3 in the Pool-A match played in Rajgir, Bihar.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick. He scored goals in the 20th, 33rd and 47th minutes of the match. The first goal for India was scored by Jugraj Singh on a penalty corner in the second quarter. From China, Du Shihao scored the first goal, Chen Benhai scored the second and Gao Jisheng scored the third goal. All the 7 goals of the match came on penalty corners.

India played attacking game right from the beginning of the match. The team got 2 penalty corners but the Indian players could not convert them into goals. However, China scored the first goal of the match in the 13th minute. Du Shihao scored this goal by scoring a brilliant low drag-flick on the penalty corner. The ball hit the stick of the Indian defender and went inside the goal post.

India got a penalty corner at the start of the second quarter. In the 18th minute, Jugraj Singh scored a goal with a brilliant drag-flick. Just 2 minutes later, India scored another goal on another attack. Captain Harmanpreet Singh gave India the lead with a brilliant drag-flick.

In the 33rd minute of the match, Rajinder Singh made a brilliant move on the right wing and got a penalty corner for India. This time both Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh were ready on the injection. Captain Harmanpreet took a shot, the ball hit the Chinese goalkeeper directly and rebounded and went inside the goalpost. This was Captain Harmanpreet's second goal. Here the team's lead increased to 3-1.

China played brilliantly in the third quarter. The team played aggressive hockey, created chances and converted them into goals. India's defense and goalkeeping proved weak here. China scored 2 goals in this quarter.

In the 39th minute of the match, India got a chance for a penalty stroke. Captain Harmanpreet Singh took a powerful shot, but the ball hit the post and went out. India missed the chance to increase its lead.

In the 42nd minute, China got consecutive penalty corners (PC). In the first attempt, the ball hit the foot of the Indian rusher and they got another PC. In the second attempt, Gao Jiasheng hit a powerful drag-flick, the ball hit the foot of Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak and went into the goal.

At the start of the fourth quarter in the 47th minute, India got a penalty corner on aerial ball obstruction. Captain Harmanpreet Singh hit the first drag-flick which was blocked by the goalkeeper. The second shot was also blocked, but on the third occasion Harmanpreet scored a goal with a powerful rocket drag-flick.