India marched into the Super-4 stage following a staggering 16-0 win against Indonesia at the GBK Sports Complex Hockey Stadium. The team showed incredible resolve, scoring six times in the closing quarter to cement their dominance over the hosts. This win propels the defending champions into the Asia Cup's knockout phase. The stakes were high, as India required a victory by 15 goals or more in this final Pool A game to advance. The young squad, led by coach and former captain Sardar Singh, performed exceptionally well under intense pressure.
India stormed into the Super-4 stage with a massive 16-0 win over Indonesia at the GBK Sports Complex Hockey Stadium. Rising to the occasion, the Indian men slammed six goals in the final quarter to register a dominant win against the hosts. This remarkable victory has taken the defending champions into the knockout stage of the Asia Cup. Indian men needed to win by a margin of 15 goals in the final Pool A match to qualify for the Super 4s. The young Indian players, coached by former India captain Sardar Singh delivered their best under pressure.
While India and Pakistan both finished Pool A with four points behind Japan, India clinched the Super 4 spot due to a slightly better goal difference (+1). This victory also had a ripple effect, knocking Pakistan out of contention for next year's World Cup in India. Meanwhile, Japan had earlier secured a 3-2 victory over Pakistan.
The scoring was spearheaded by Dipsan Tirkey, who found the net four times, and Sudev Belimagga, who recorded a hat-trick. Pawan Rajbhar, SV Sunil, and Selvam Karthi each added two goals to the tally, with the remaining goals coming from Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Uttam Singh, and Birendra Lakra.
India began the match with an aggressive full-court press on the Indonesian goal. The hosts managed to hold their ground for the first nine minutes, but Rajbhar eventually broke the deadlock with the opening goal. Just a minute later, India earned a penalty corner; although Nilam missed the initial shot, Rajbhar was perfectly positioned to tap in the rebound.
With two minutes left in the opening quarter, Singh netted India's third goal. The momentum continued into the second quarter, where Sunil scored the fourth from the left side following a botched trap during a penalty corner. Nilam then added a fifth with a thunderous drag-flick. Indonesia attempted to change the tide by swapping goalkeeper Rumaropen Julius for Fajar Alam, but the Indian onslaught remained unstoppable.
The score hit double digits thanks to a goal from Sudev, shortly followed by Tirkey's second to make it 11-0. Tirkey then completed his hat-trick via a penalty corner before Sudev added another in the 54th minute. Tirkey capped off the performance with a final goal in the dying seconds of the game, ensuring India's progression. Specifically, Tirkey's two penalty corner goals were the final nails in the coffin for Pakistan's qualification hopes.