Harmanpreet's Hat-trick Secures India's Win Over China in Asia Cup

Rajgir (Bihar), Aug 29 (PTI): In a gripping opener at the Asia Cup, India's captain Harmanpreet produced a hat-trick, steering India to a narrow 4-3 victory over a lower-ranked Chinese side here on Friday. Despite their win, India displayed a less-than-stellar performance.

Harmanpreet (20th, 33rd, 47th minutes) successfully converted three penalty corners but missed a crucial penalty stroke. Jugraj Singh (18th) also contributed to India's score. China replied with goals from Shihao Du (12th), Benhal Chen (35th), and Jiesheng Gao (41st), keeping the match fiercely competitive.

While India came out on top, their lackluster execution allowed China too much leeway in the match. The home team squandered numerous opportunities, converting only four out of 11 penalty corners.

India started aggressively, initiating their first attack with Mandeep Singh setting up Sanjay. However, Chinese goalkeeper Weihao Yang thwarted Sanjay's attempt. Although Mandeep scored from India's first penalty corner, the goal was negated due to a striker's push, as per China's appeal for a referral.

Shortly after Dilpreet Singh's close-range effort was saved, China capitalized on their first penalty corner, with Shihao Du breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute. India had more chances towards the first quarter's end, only to see Wehao deny Abhishek, and their skipper Harmanpreet miss from the second penalty corner.

India equalized three minutes into the second quarter through Jugraj's precise penalty corner conversion. Within minutes, Harmanpreet extended India's lead with a fierce drag-flick during their fourth set piece. However, another opportunity went waste soon after.

China stayed competitive, capitalizing on missed chances from India, even as Weihao impressively saved a splendid flick from Harmanpreet just minutes before halftime.

India extended their margin three minutes into the third quarter via another penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet. But China fought back as Benhai Chen sliced through the Indian defense, reducing their deficit. A missed penalty stroke from Harmanpreet could have been costly, as China's Jiesheng Gao leveled the score at 3-3 with another penalty corner conversion.

Luck favored India moments later as a sequence of penalty corners arrived in the 47th minute, with Harmanpreet sealing his hat-trick from the final chance. Despite another opportunity three minutes before the end, India couldn't extend their lead.

Meanwhile, in Pool A's first clash, Japan dominated Kazakhstan with a decisive 7-0 triumph. Koji Yamasaki (13th, 36th) scored twice, alongside goals from Kosei Kawabe (1st), Naru Kimura (5th), Ken Nagayoshi (48th), Shota Yamada (50th), and Ryosuke Shinohara (54th).

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar graced the India-China match, paying homage to Major Dhyanchand on National Sports Day. India will next face Japan on Sunday, as China prepares to take on Kazakhstan.

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