18th Asian Games:India's scoring spree continues unabated
Defending champions India continued its scoring spree in men's hockey competition of the 18th Asian Games defeating Japan 8-0 in its third pool game to take its tally of goals to a record 51 without a reply. The win, the third, keeps India at the top of pool A. Otherwise, it was a day of medals and disappointments. While Rowers got a gold in Quadruple Sculls , Rohan Bopanna and D. Sharan won men's doubles title in Tennis, women's kabaddi team got a silver, besides a horde of bronze medals in shooting, rowing and tennis, there were big disappointments in shooting (Manu Bhaker), badminton (K. Srikanth and HS Prannoy losing their opening singles matches), and boxer Gaurav Solanki (eliminated in first round). India had some consolation in men's handball competition. Though out of contention, India managed to beat arch rival Pakistan 28-27 in a pool game. It was the hockey team's superb form that warmed cockles of hearts of the sports enthusiasts back home and elsewhere. After scoring 43 goals in first two games, Indian players were in their elements as they also thrashed Japan 8-0. A big win against a stronger team will further boost the morale of the team looking to defend its title and assure itself a place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh (two goals each), Dilpreet Sing and, Vivek Sagar, were scorers for India. India could convert only one of eight penalty corners and also got a goal off a penalty stroke in the game in which the Japanese defended stoutly. Indian defence was hardly put to any serious test except in the first quarter when Sreejesh brought off a brilliant save. In other games in men's hockey, Pakistan beat Kazakhstan 16-0, Malaysia trounced Bangladesh 7-0, and Korea beat Indonesia 15-0. Also Sri Lanka beat Hong Kong 4-1 and Oman got better of Thailand 2-1.
