India maul Lanka 20-0 in yet another goalfest, to face Malaysia in men�s hockey semis

JAKARTA, Aug 28: Defending champions India made a mockery of Sri Lankan challenge pumping in 20 goals to remain unbeaten in the pool stages, setting up a tricky semifinal clash against Malaysia in the men�s hockey competition at the Asian Games here today.

It has been a scintillating performance from the Indians in the pool stages as they scored as many as 76 goals and conceded just three.

It was always going to be a cakewalk for World No. 5 India against Sri Lanka, ranked 38th and it turned out to be so as the title holders toyed with the rival defence to score goals at will.

Akashdeep Singh (9th, 11th, 17th, 22nd, 32nd, 42nd minutes) scored six goals while Rupinder Pal Singh (1st, 52nd, 53rd), playing his 200th international match, Harmanpreet Singh (5th, 21st, 33rd) and Mandeep Singh (35th, 43rd, 59th) struck thrice each as India completely dismantled the Sri Lankan defence from start to finish.

Besides the duo, Lalit Upadhyay (57th, 58th), Vivek Sagar Prasad (31st), Amit Rohidas (38th) and Dilpreet Singh (53rd) scored a goal each.

India, thus, topped Pool A with an all-win record from five games and will take on second placed team in Pool B, Malaysia in the first semifinal on Thursday. � PTI