Asia Cup 2025: India defeated a lower-ranked Chinese team 4-3 here on Friday thanks to a hat-trick from skipper Harmanpreet in an exciting Asia Cup first match. Even though they won, India’s performance wasn’t that impressive.
Du Shihao’s penalty-corner goal in the 12th minute put the home team ahead in the first quarter. Harmanpreet Singh, the captain, missed the mark with a drag-flick at the conclusion of the first quarter, costing India the opportunity to tie the score.
However, when given the opportunity, Jugraj Singh did not let it slip, as his drag-flick in the 18th minute sounded the board. Two minutes later, Harmanpreet scored a penalty corner from the second battery into the right corner to double India’s lead.
Mandeep Singh lined up Sanjay for India’s first offensive, which was launched with aggression. However, Sanjay’s attempt was stopped by Chinese goalkeeper Weihao Yang. According to China’s request for a referral, Mandeep scored from India’s first penalty corner, but the goal was disallowed because of a striker’s push.
China took advantage of their first penalty corner shortly after Dilpreet Singh’s close-range attempt was saved, and Shihao Du broke the tie in the 12th minute. Near the end of the first quarter, India had more opportunities, but Wehao denied Abhishek and their captain Harmanpreet missed the second penalty corner.
Three minutes into the second quarter, Jugraj’s accurate penalty corner conversion gave India the equalizer. In just a few minutes, Harmanpreet used a vicious drag-flick in their fourth set piece to increase India’s lead. But shortly later, another chance was lost.
China maintained their competitiveness by taking advantage of India’s missed opportunities, despite Weihao’s spectacular save on Harmanpreet’s brilliant flick minutes before halftime.
Chen Benhai, however, ensured that China withdrew from the match when his drag-flick defeated Indian custodian Krishan Pathak. China then had a chance to restore level when Harmanpreet missed a penalty kick. To tie the score at three goals each, Gao Jiesheng took advantage of a short corner in the forty-second minute.
However, after a fierce battle, the Indian captain scored his third goal from the short corner to complete his hat-trick and put India ahead.
