India Score Perfect 10 Against Russia In FIH Series Finals

Bhubaneswar: India drubbed Russia 10-0 in their opening game of the FIH Men’s Series Finals here on Thursday while in another game of Pool A Poland beat Uzbekistan 4-0.

In a Pool B match, favourites India gave their 2020 Olympics qualification chances a boost by scoring a ‘perfect 10’ against the Russians, who stood no chance. The home team scored through Nilkanta Sharma (13^th minute), Simranjeet Singh (19^th), Amit Rohidas (20^th), Varun Kumar (33^rd), Harmanpreet Singh (32^nd, 48^th minutes), Gursahibjit Singh (38^th), Akashdeep Singh (41^st, 55^th) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (45^th)

In another duel, Uzbekistan, the lowest ranked team of the tournament (FIH World Rankings:43), struggled as Poland took the lead in the 5th minute with a drag-flick from captain Pawel Bratkowski following a penalty corner. Uzbekistan lost Karimov Ruslan through injury a few seconds later.

The European side dominated the second quarter with Mateusz Hulboj scoring the second goal for his team following a penalty corner. Pawel Bratkowski added another goal in the second half. Mateusz Hulboj, who scored with an amazing shot from a distance, millimetres under the crossbar, got the fourth goal for his side.

Poland could not have expected a better start ahead of their match against hosts India tomorrow.

Poland’s Maciej Janiszewski: “We thought it would be a very difficult game because of the weather conditions and the first game is of course always tough. So, it’s a good result for us. I expect a very difficult match against India tomorrow, with all their fans behind them.”

Uzbekistan’s Stand-In Manager Rinat Ahmadulin said: “We had a really good preparation and we tried to win but unfortunately we lost. Poland is also a good team. Now we will work on our mistakes and tomorrow we will try to show a good game against Russia.”