Young striker Mandeep Singh netted a hat-trick as India blanked minnows Oman 8-0 to start their 9th Asia Cup Hockey Championship campaign on a perfect note at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium here today. The Indian team indulged in goal fest as they scored four apiece on either side of the break. For the winners,Mandeep (4th minute,40th,44th) struck thrice,while Ramandeep (17th),V R Raghunath (28th),Rupinderpal Singh (34th),Malak Singh (47th) and S K Uthappa (69th) sounded the board once. Knowing fully well that winning the Asia Cup would guarantee a place in next year's World Cup at The Hague,Netherlands,the Indians meant business from the onset and concentrated mainly on building formations. The Indians were expected to control the proceedings against Oman and they did exactly that as the play was mostly centred around the Oman half. After starting on a rather casual note,the Indians soon tightened up their grip over Oman and mounted continuous raids. In the opening half,majority of India's build ups came from the right flank with Ramandeep Singh and Malak Singh combining well. But penalty corner conversion still seems to be a worry for India as they utilised just two out of the six that came their way. The Indians earned their first penalty corner as early as in the third minute but Rupinderpal's flick was saved by Oman goalkeeper Al Noufali Fahad Khamis Salmeen. But an opportunistic Mandeep scored from the resultant rebound to give India a 1-0 lead. India doubled their lead in the 17th minute through an unmarked Ramandeep who scored after receiving a Malak assist from the right flank. India earned a penalty in the 28th minute when Nithin Thimmaiah was brought down inside the Oman circle and V R Raghunath made no mistake from the spot to make the scoreline 3-0 in favour of the Indians.India could have scored another in the next minute but Rupinder's reverse hit from inside the 'D' was saved by the Oman custodian. Just a minute from the breather,India increased their lead through Rupinder who converted the team's fifth penalty corner with a high flick that crashed on to the top right of the Oman goal. t was no different after the change of ends as India continued their domination over Oman.It took India just five minutes into the second half to find the back of the net,Mandeep scored his second goal of the day with a perfect reverse flick after being fed by a cross from Chinglensana Singh. Mandeep scored histhird goal of the day four minutes later after receiving a pass from Ramandeep. Three minutes later,it was Malaks turn to register his name in the score-sheet after Dharamvir intial shot was saved by the Oman goalkeeper. A diving Uthappa rounded off the tally a minute from the hooter by tapping home Malak's cross from the right flank.India next play title holders Korea in on August 26. We were sloppy in 2nd half A comprehensive win might have been achieved,but India's interim coach Roelant Oltmans feels his team was a bit sloppy in the second half of its Asia Cup hockey tournament opener against Oman. "It was a regular win. We played very well in the first half,but in the second half we were a bit sloppy. But it happens because it is difficult to give your 100 per cent concentration throughout the match,especially when you are 7-0,8-0 up. The heat took a toll on us (in the second half)," the coach said. Pakistan beat Japan Pakistan lead 6-0 at half time en route a 7-0 thrashing of Japan,while hosts Malaysia demolished debutant Chinese Taipei 10-2 in their respective Pool A matches.
