Harmanpreet hat-trick seals India’s 4-3 win over China
India’s men’s hockey team scraped past China 4-3 in their Asia Cup opener in Rajgir, Bihar, on Friday, with captain Harmanpreet Singh scoring a hat-trick.
All seven goals came from penalty corners. China struck first through Du Shihao in the 12th minute, but India hit back quickly. Jugraj Singh leveled in the 18th minute, and Harmanpreet scored twice—once in the 20th and again in the 33rd—to give India a 3-1 lead.
China, however, fought back strongly. Chen Benhai (35’) and Gao Jiesheng (41’) made it 3-3, putting India under pressure. In between, Mandeep Singh won a stroke, but Harmanpreet missed the chance.
The decisive moment came in the 47th minute when Harmanpreet smashed home his third to make it 4-3. India had to survive the final quarter a man down after Jarmanpreet Singh was shown a yellow card, but they held on for the win.
India next face Japan on Saturday at 3 PM IST.
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