Buenos Aires: The Indian U-18 men’s hockey team defeated Poland 4-2 to progress to the semi-finals of the Youth Olympic Games on Friday.
Shivam Anand (1st, 8th minutes) sounded the board twice while Maninder Singh (3rd) and Sanjay (17th) were the other goal scorers for India in the quarterfinals of the Hockey 5s competition at the Parque Polideportivo Roca.
Poland’s goals came from the sticks of Eryk Bembenek (16th) and Michal Nowakowski (18th). India started the match well and raced to a 2-0 lead inside the first three minutes as forward Shivam Anand scored the first goal within 48 seconds of the beginning while midfielder Maninder Singh doubled the lead in the third minute.
Shivam scored his second of the day in the eighth minute to ensure a comfortable 3-0 lead at the half time.
The Polish team tried to create more chances to turn the match around but it turned out to be too little, too late for the Europeans as India secured their passage through to the semi-finals.
India will face the winner of another quarter-final match between hosts Argentina and Bangladesh in the last-four match on Saturday. (PTI)
