Harmanpreet, Sukhjeet score as India beat China 5-2 in Asian Champions Trophy

India beat China 5-2 (Image: ANI) Captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Sukhjeet Singh struck twice each as India continued their winning run in the Asian Champions Trophy by beating a spirited China 5-2 in front of a home crowd at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Thursday.India, who started their campaign with a 13-0 win over Bangladesh, had to work harder against a young Chinese side but eventually secured their second straight win. Harmanpreet converted two penalty corners while Sukhjeet scored twice from open play. Jugraj Singh added the fifth goal with another brilliant conversion of the set pieces.Despite the defeat, China showed resilience and threatened India at various stages, with Peng Yang and Chongcong Chen scoring from penalty corners. However, the decisive factor was the attacking quality and the ability of the home team to take advantage of crucial opportunities.

Sukhjeet breaks the deadlock as China fights back

India dominated possession and repeatedly entered the circle from the opening whistle, but struggled to create clear-cut chances in the early stages. The breakthrough finally came in the 13th minute when Jugraj made a superb kick from deep and found Sukhjeet in the Chinese circle. The forward controlled the ball brilliantly before lifting it over goalkeeper Huanya Wu.China earned their first penalty corner in the 18th minute, but India’s defense held. The visitors then won two consecutive penalty corners in the 20th minute, but Harmanpreet missed the target at the second attempt.The young Chinese side continued to thwart India’s attacks and equalized in the 26th minute. Peng Yang converted his second penalty corner with a quick move past goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.India responded almost immediately. A minute later, Harmanpreet restored the visitors’ lead with a powerful, low swing from the third penalty corner to make it 2-1.China earned two more penalty corners in the closing stages of the first half, but failed to convert either, allowing India to take a narrow advantage into the break.

Harmanpreet, Sukhjeet increase India’s lead

India started the second half on the front foot and Harmanpreet struck again in the 31st minute as he converted another penalty corner with a ground swing to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.Three minutes later, Sukhjeet finished his brace. The striker finished off a pass from Aditya Arjun Lalage after the latter controlled an aerial ball from Harmanpreet near the halfway line.China refused to give up and pulled one back in the 36th minute. Chongcong Chen converted his fourth penalty corner with a well-executed conversion to make it 4-2 and keep the visitors in contention.India continued to press for more goals. Jugraj saw one of his penalty corner attempts saved by Wu, but the defender made amends in the 47th minute, unleashing a powerful, grounded swing from the spot kick to restore India’s three-goal lead.The home side earned another penalty corner two minutes before the final siren, but Harmanpreet’s effort was kept out by the Chinese keeper. However, India did enough to seal a comfortable 5-2 win.

India will face Japan next

The win gives India their second straight win in the tournament after their emphatic opening day triumph over Bangladesh. China, meanwhile, are still looking for their first win after losing 4-5 to Asian Games silver medalists Malaysia on Tuesday.India will face Japan on Friday, while China will face South Korea later in the tournament.