India beat Switzerland 5-0 to reach FIH World Cup quarterfinals

India defeated Switzerland 5-0 in Madurai to qualify for the FIH Men's World Cup quarterfinals. Manmeet Singh scored twice on his birthday, while Sharda Nand Tiwari converted two penalty corners. India topped Pool B with nine points from three matches

Madurai: Manmeet Singh celebrated his birthday with a fine brace while Sharda Nand Tiwari converted two penalty corners as India defeated Switzerland 5-0 to continue their unbeaten run and qualify for the quarterfinals in the FIH Men’s World Cup here on Tuesday.

India finished on top of Pool B with nine points from three games. Manmeet (2nd, 11th minutes), Sharda Nand Tiwari (13th, 54th) and Arshdeep Singh (28th) found the net for India.

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Switzerland started brightly, earning back-to-back penalty corners in the first minute, but India defended stoutly. The Indians responded quickly and took the lead in the second minute as birthday boy Manmeet scored from close range after being fed by Dilraj Singh.

Thereafter, there was no looking back for India as they dominated the proceedings and secured their first penalty corner in the fourth minute but failed to capitalise on the chance. India doubled their lead in the 11th minute, with Manmeet brilliantly deflecting a long ball. Two minutes later, India extended their lead, converting their second penalty corner through Sharda Nand.

India secured their third penalty corner in the 21st minute, but Anmol Ekka’s high flick was brilliantly saved by Swiss goalkeeper Timo Graf. Switzerland earned their second penalty corner in the 23rd minute but wasted the chance.

Arshdeep made the scoreline 4-0 with a fine reverse slap shot in the 28th minute. India continued to mount attacks on the opposition defence and secured another short corner seconds later, but the Swiss goalkeeper made another great save to deny skipper Rohit.

Switzerland came out attacking after the change of ends and created two good chances, but on both occasions Indian custodian Prince Deep Singh made fine saves. Switzerland secured a penalty stroke in the dying stages of the third quarter but was denied by a brilliant save from Prince Deep with an extended right foot.

India secured another penalty corner in the 50th minute, but Rohit once again failed to breach Graf. Switzerland tested the Indian backline and earned back-to-back penalty corners, but the hosts defended stoutly.

The Indians created numerous chances in the last two quarters, including another short corner in the 54th minute, and Sharda Nand made no mistake. India secured back-to-back penalty corners soon after, but the Swiss defence denied the hosts.