Fifteen & Flying: India Crush Kazakhstan To Reach Super 4s

Last Updated:September 01, 2025, 22:34 IST

India dominates Kazakhstan 15-0 in Asia Cup hockey, with Abhishek scoring four goals and Sukhjeet Singh, Jugraj Singh netting hat-tricks.

Abhishek scored four goals against Kazakhstan (Picture credit: Hockey India)

India scored every four minutes on average, demolishing Kazakhstan 15-0 in a one-sided game, bagging an all-win record in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup hockey tournament on Monday.

Abhishek (5th, 8th, 20th, 59th minutes) scored four goals, while Sukhjeet Singh (15th, 32nd, 38th) and Jugraj Singh (24th, 31st, 47th) each scored hat-tricks, helping India top Pool A.

Other scorers included Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (26th), Amit Rohidas (29th), Rajinder Singh (32nd), Sanjay (54th), and Dilpreet Singh (55th), as India achieved their third consecutive win after defeating China and Japan.

India will be joined by China in the Super 4s from their group, while Malaysia and Korea progressed to the next stage from Pool B. All four teams will play each other in the next stage, with the top two qualifying for Sunday’s final. India will face Korea in their first Super 4 match on Wednesday.

During the game, Sukhjeet intercepted the ball inside Kazakhstan’s half and passed it to Abhishek, who opened India’s account with a reverse shot from the top of the circle. Abhishek scored his second goal three minutes later from a similar position, using his forehand.

India secured their first penalty corner just before the end of the opening quarter, but Harmanpreet’s effort was saved by Kazakh goalie Yerzhan Yelubayev. However, from the resultant free hit, Sukhjeet tapped in from a feed by Abhishek. Kazakhstan also secured a penalty corner but failed to capitalise.

India got their second penalty corner in the 18th minute, with Harmanpreet’s flick hitting the post. Abhishek achieved his hat-trick by pushing the ball home from a tight angle after receiving a pass from Harmanpreet. Kazakhstan earned their second penalty corner, but India’s defence held strong.

India bagged another penalty corner in the 23rd minute, with Jugraj making no mistake, making it 5-0.

Minutes later, Harmanpreet found the net from another penalty corner. Despite Dilpreet missing a sitter in a one-on-one situation, Rohidas scored a minute before halftime.

Right after the change of ends, India secured a penalty stroke, which Jugraj converted. Goals continued as Rajinder and Sukhjeet scored. India’s team looked sharp, dominating play in Kazakhstan’s half.

Jugraj completed his hat-trick by converting a penalty stroke in the fourth quarter before Sanjay scored from a penalty corner. Dilpreet Singh also scored before Abhishek, who started it all, completed Kazakhstan’s humiliation by scoring his fourth goal a minute before the final hooter.

India’s chief coach Craig Fulton was satisfied with his team’s performance, particularly the forward line. “It was a difficult game with all respect to Kazakhstan. Considering we knew we were already in the Super 4s, we were cautious not to get any injuries or do anything silly. We are full of confidence. It was good to spend a lot of time in the final third, and that’s what we were hoping for, and we did. Scoring 15 goals against any team isn’t easy," he said. “Going into the Super 4s, you want your strikers connecting and scoring goals."

Earlier, Japan lost a Super 4 berth to China on goal difference after a 2-2 draw. In the day’s first Pool A match, China took a 2-0 lead through field goals from Changliang Lin (7th minute) and Xiaojia Zhang (25th), but Japan mounted a comeback. Facing a must-win situation, Japan rallied with Kazumasa Matsumoto (28th, 51st) scoring a brace. Despite attacking in numbers in the last 10 minutes and creating several chances, Japan failed to find the winner that could have helped them enter the Super 4s.

(With PTI Inputs)

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Rajgir, India, India

First Published:

September 01, 2025, 22:34 IST

News sports Fifteen & Flying: India Crush Kazakhstan To Reach Super 4s

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