India vs China Asian Champions Trophy 2023 Hockey: Harmanpreet, Varun grab braces to gift IND 7-2 win vs CHN

India sealed a one-sided 7-2 win against China in their Asian Champions Trophy 2023 opener.

At the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. India took a early 2-0 lead in the first quarter after a quick brace from captain Harmanpreet Singh, who converted back-to-back penalty corners.

Meanwhile, Sukhjeet made it 3-0 to end the first quarter. Akashdeep scored early in the second quarter to make it 4-0, but Wenhui took advantage of a defensive lapse as China staged a comeback to make it 1-4. But Varun had other plans and converted a penalty corner to make it 5-1 for India.

China found another goal through Jiesheng Gao to make it 5-2 in the second quarter. Varun scored once again in the end of the second quarter to make it 6-2 for the home side. In the third quarter, Mandeep deflected a dragflick and India took a 7-2 lead. India had few more chances in the final quarter but some good saves by China’s goalkeeper saw the match end with a 7-2 scoreline.