Dilpreet Singh’s four-goal show informs India’s 13-1 rout of Indonesia at the Asian Games
Asian Games 2026: Dilpreet shines as Indian men’s hockey team beats Indonesia 13-1 The Indian men’s hockey team got off to a flying start to their Asian Games title defense as they cruised past Indonesia 13-1 in their Group A opener on Sunday.Dilpreet Singh was the outstanding performer, finding the net four times as the defending champions produced a dominant performance. Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh chipped in with two goals each while Abhishek, Rajinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh were also on target.Indonesia managed to grab a consolation through Aulia Al Ardh in the 33rd minute, but India remained firmly in control for most of the match.The defending champions needed just six minutes to open the scoring. Harmanpreet’s pull was kept out by Indonesian goalkeeper Alam Fajar, but Lakra was quickest to react and scored from the rebound.Abhishek then doubled India’s advantage in the 12th minute, again finishing off the rebound after Fajar saved an initial effort.Dilpreet took over from there. He made it 3-0 in the 18th minute after converting an assist from Abhishek before finding the net again a minute later, heading in Sukhjeet’s cross at the far post.India’s relentless attacking pressure continued as Rajinder Singh scored from another bounce after a fine attacking move involving Sukhjeet. Mandeep Singh then added another field goal two minutes later to put India up 6-0.The Indians had an opportunity to add to their lead in the 27th minute when Manpreet Singh was fouled inside the ‘D’ trying to convert a rebound. Harmanpreet stepped up to take the ensuing penalty kick but Fajar struck with his outstretched right foot.However, Harmanpreet did not wait long for his goal. He converted a penalty corner in the following minute to give India a 7–0 advantage at half time.Indonesia finally found a breakthrough three minutes into the second half. Al Ardh converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute to give their team a consolation.India quickly resumed their attack. Lakra scored his second of the game in the 35th minute after receiving a well-balanced pass from Rajinder.Dilpreet completed his hat-trick two minutes later when he pounced on the rebound after Fajar blocked the first attempt.Sukhjeet then joined the scoring frenzy in the 38th minute as he found the net with a field goal to make it 10-1.Jugraj Singh converted another penalty corner for India in the 47th minute before Sukhjeet struck again a minute later to complete his surge.Dilpreet saved the best for last and added his fourth goal in the 49th minute to complete India’s 13-1 victory.India will face Sri Lanka next Tuesday.The match also marked the first appearance of India’s new primary saffron kits at the Asian Games. Despite Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey’s earlier claim that both Indian teams would wear their traditional blue jerseys for the games, the men’s and women’s sides instead appeared in the saffron jerseys they first wore during the recent World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
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