India’s men's hockey team hammered lowly Indonesia 17-0 to open its title defence on a rousing note at the Asian Games, in Jakarta, on Monday.
As many as three Indian players scored a hat-trick each as India toyed with the Indonesians in the lop-sided Pool A encounter.
Dilpreet Singh (6th, 29th, 32nd minute), Simranjeet Singh (13th, 38th, 53rd) and Mandeep Singh (29th, 44th, 49th) scored a hat-trick each, while Rupinder Pal Singh (1st, 2nd), Akashdeep Singh (10th, 44th), S V Sunil (25th), Vivek Sagar (26th), Harmanpreet Singh (31st) and Amit Rohidas (54th) were the other scorers.
A goal-feast was expected as the Indonesians were never a match for the world No 5 Indians. Indonesia got a chance to play in the event only by virtue of being hosts.
The floodgates opened from the onset and continued till the final hooter.
India had 40 shots at goal out of which they converted 17.
India scored 10 field goals, six from penalty-corners and one from the spot.
They converted six out of the 11 penalty-corners earned.
Such was the difference in quality between the two sides that Indonesia had only one shot at the Indian goal.
India next plays Hong Kong China on Wednesday.
