India finish fifth at Asian Champions Trophy

Kakamigahara (Japan), Nov 10 (IANS) The young Indian men’s hockey team finished fifth at the third Asian Champions Trophy here Sunday.

India defeated Oman 6-1 by scoring at regular intervals in both halves of the game.

Kothajit Singh converted an early penalty corner for India in the sixth minute. Five minutes later Gurjinder Singh doubled India’s lead by converting another penalty corner. Akashdeep Singh also registered his name on the scoresheet after gently tapping in Mandeep’s pass from a difficult angle in the 24th minute as India led 3-0 at half time.

Akashdeep made it 4-0, scoring from close range after pouncing on a loose ball in the 40th minute.

Oman, however, pulled one back in the 58th minute from a penalty corner through Mohammad Hoobais Al Shar, whose low drag-flick beat India goalkeeper Harjot Singh.

In the 66th minute Malak Singh scored with a fierce hit from top of the circle before Akashdeep scored his third goal just two minutes from the hooter.