India rout Hong Kong in
Asian Games hockey

Defending champions India began their Asian Games campaign on a bright note, drubbing minnows Hong Kong 5-1 in the men's hockey opener in Busan on Monday.

Gagan Ajit Singh and Jugraj Singh scored twice and Daljit Singh added another as India earned full points in the Group A match.

Hong Kong's consolation goal was scored by skipper Farooq Saeed.

In the other match of Group A South Korea beat Japan 4-0 and in the last match of the day, in Group B, Pakistan thrashed China 8-3

India drew first blood in the sixth minute, when Gagan Ajit Singh scored from a penalty-corner. Despite striving hard, Hong Kong could not match the Indians' stick-work and conceeded another goal in the 10th minute as Daljit Singh gave India a 2-0 lead.

The Asian powerhouse then messed up with a golden opportunity soon after when Kamalpreet Singh failed to score off a penalty-stroke.

Hong Kong tried to make a spirited comeback and forced five penalty-corners in quick succession. Saeed then scored off the fourth to make the score 1-2.

Crossing over, young Jugraj Singh scored India's third goal in the 39th minute.

The Indian forwards continued to rip apart the weak Hong Kong defence and five minutes later Gagan Ajit Singh scored his second to make it 4-1.

Jugraj then completed India's tally scoring his second and India's fifth goal in the 47th minute.

Dilip Tirkey's team then changed tactics and in the rest of the match played for time toying with their opponents.

Playing on the new poly grass turf, the Indian forwards lacked finish as they wasted many chances.

Despite the impressive victory margin, the strikers should show marked improvement when they take on strong South Korea on Wednesday.

Indian coach Rajinder Singh made full use of the rolling substitution and gave a chance to all 16 players to get a feel of the turf, including Kamalpreet Singh, who had recovered from a minor back injury.

Rajinder Singh said he wanted to experiment all players and this was possible only against Hong Kong.

"I am not happy with both the margin of victory and the performance of forwards and they lost lot of chances.

"However, it is a new turf and we need to get adjusted to the conditions," he said.

"We also had problems in the midfield, though the defence line worked well. Overall, I am not satisfied with the performance."

India began on a brisk note and after a few forays sounded the board through a penalty corner which was awarded for obstructing a shot by Prabhjot Singh.

The Indians began to assert more in the next five minutes and this resulted in the second goal which came in the 10th minute.

Viren Rasquinha moved down the right and passed it to Bimal Lakra who dodged past two Hong Kong defenders before Daljit provided the finishing touches.

Hong Kong now tried to play man-to-man defence and the team with four brothers from Pakistan, three Indians, two Chinese and two Englishmen showed their inexperience with some hard tackles and were promptly warned by the umpire.

India were awarded a penalty-stroke when Daljit was brought down by rival goalkeeper Cheung Hin Kei inside the circle following a swift move invloving Gagan Ajit and Prabhjot.

Kamalpreet Singh came forward to take the stroke but scooped it over the bar.

Hong Kong's only goal came mid-way through the first half following a good move weaved by Arif Ali, Asghar Ali and Satpal Singh.

The trio went inside the striking circle in tandem and forced three penaly corners in quick time.

Off the third one, Saeed beat Devesh Chauhan at the Indian goal with a direct hit as India conceded their first ever goal to Hong Kong in six meetings.

In the second half, the Indian coach brought in Bharat Chetri to replace an off-colour Devesh Chauhan and also tried different combinations ahead of the tougher battles.

But after a few initial hicups early, the Indians again got into the goal scoring mode converting their second penalty corner four minutes into the second half. Tirkey's firm shot hit Ali Akbar on the chest and the resultant penalty stroke was converted by Jugraj Singh.

Ignatius tirkey darted in into the circle and his cross towards the goal was deflected in by Gagan Ajit Singh as India took a 4-1 lead before the rout was completed by Jugraj.