Johannesburg: Tushar Khandekar and Yuvraj Walmiki scored two goals each as India spanked Poland 7-0 to enhance their chances of finishing on top of group A in the Champions Challenge hockey tournament, here on Tuesday.
Finishing with seven points from three matches, India now await the result of the Belgium-South Africa match to know if they finish on top the group.
The Pool A toppers will take on Malaysia in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
Belgium and India both had four points each before the last round of group matches, but Belgium enjoyed a one-goal edge in goal difference to lead the pool standings ahead of Tuesday’s games.
India enjoyed complete domination against Poland, who have lost all their three preliminary league matches with huge margins.
To start with, India had a narrow shave in the 11th minute when Polish captain Dariusz Rachwalski’s deflection on a penalty corner went just wide with he defenders beaten.
Walmiki opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he deflected Manjeet Kulu’s long diagonal shot past the goalkeeper.
Shivendra Singh then capitalised on a Danish Mujtaba pass for India’s second goal in the 23th minute.Walmiki’s opportunistic 33rd-minute strike produced his second goal to give India a 3-0 lead at half-time.Manpreet Singh capitalised on SV Sunil’s pass in the 44th minute.
Birender Lakra slammed in a reverse drive in the 53rd minute before Khandekar scored a brace in the 55th and 70th minutes. (PTI)
