Rajgir, Aug 29 (UNI) The Indian Men’s Hockey Team began their campaign at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Rajgir Bihar 2025 with a hard-fought 4-3 win over China at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium here today.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh produced a captain’s performance, scoring a superb hat-trick (20’, 33’, 47’) while Jugraj Singh (18’) chipped in with a goal. China fought back strongly through Shihao Du (12’), Benhai Chen (35’) and Jiesheng Gao (41’), but the hosts held their nerve in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
China struck first, converting a penalty corner through Du in the 12th minute. India responded in the second quarter, with Jugraj equalising before Harmanpreet gave the hosts the lead. At half-time, India were 2-1 ahead.
Harmanpreet extended the lead soon after the restart, but Chen quickly pulled one back for China, before Gao levelled the score at 3-3 in the 41st minute, setting up a tense final quarter.
The decisive moment came in the 47th minute when Harmanpreet converted his third penalty corner to complete his hat-trick and restore India’s advantage. The home side then defended stoutly to close out the win.
India will next face Japan on Sunday, August 31 at 1500 hrs in their second Pool match.
