India thrash Canada 14-3 to storm into Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final

India stormed into the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final after thrashing Canada 14-3 in Ipoh. Jugraj Singh scored four goals, while Abhishek struck twice late in the game. India will face Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday

Ipoh: Jugraj Singh scored four goals as the Indian men’s hockey team thrashed Canada 14-3 in a high-scoring encounter to top the pool standings and storm into the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here on Saturday.

Having lost only to Belgium by a goal earlier in the tournament, India were upbeat after a sensational 3-2 win against New Zealand in their previous game. India will play Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday.

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The match began with an early goal by Nilakanta Sharma in the fourth minute, followed by a 10th-minute strike from Rajinder Singh, who has been in good form since his debut in the senior side.

Canada responded quickly, creating penalty corners and converting one in the 11th minute through Brendan Guraliuk.

India struck back with goals from Jugraj Singh and Amit Rohidas in the 12th and 15th minutes to take a 4-1 lead.

The second quarter saw a flurry of goals, with Rajinder scoring in the 24th minute, Dilpreet Singh in the 25th, and Jugraj adding his second in the 26th minute to make it 7-1.

Canada pulled one back in the 35th minute when Matthew Sarmento converted a penalty stroke, but Jugraj completed his hat-trick in the 39th minute. Selvam Karthi added another in the 43rd minute to extend India’s lead to 9-2.

The final quarter turned into a goal fest. Rohidas converted a penalty corner in the 46th minute, Jugraj added his fourth with a penalty stroke in the 50th, and Canada replied with Jyothswaroop Sidhu’s goal to make it 11-3.

Sanjay scored from a penalty stroke in the 56th minute, while Abhishek struck twice in the 57th and 59th minutes to seal India’s emphatic 14-3 win.