New Delhi: India Thursday registered a 16-0 win over Indonesia to advance to the knockout stage of the Asia Cup in the final group league match. India scored 16 goals in just one hour and entered ‘Super 4’, knocking Pakistan off its second position in the Pool A, behind Japan. Both India and Pakistan finished with four points each in Pool A behind Japan but the defending champions qualified for the next round due to better goal difference.
The Indian hockey team comprising young boys did not have the best of starts, as they drew 1-1 with Pakistan before losing 2-5 to Japan, which pushed them to the brink of elimination. But the Indians seemed to be in no mood to bow out without a fight and staged a dramatic turnaround to keep alive their hopes of a title defence.
The Indian team were -3 in terms of goal difference before entering the match. India scored six goals in the first two-quarters of the match and then did ten more to reserve their place in ‘Super 4’ with Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. All four teams will now play each other, with the top two progressing to the final to be played on June 1.
After winning Indonesia, India is now all set to lock horns with Japan in the next match, which is to be played on Saturday, May 28. In the other Super 4 stage match, South Korea will take on Malaysia.
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