New Delhi: Penalty corner specialist Sandeep Singh continued to torment India's opponents in the Olympic hockey qualifiers by scoring a hat-trick that helped the hosts beat France 6-2 here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Tuesday.
Contrary to expectations, India's third victory in as many matches turned out to be another one-sided affair even though France were expected to put up stiff resistance. But the pace of the Indian forwards gave no respite to the French defence that caved in six times. Other than Sandeep scoring a hat-trick, Shivender Singh, SV Sunil and Tushar Khandekar hit the target.
France gave some signs of a comeback when they pulled one back through Lucas Sevestre off a PC awarded in the last minute of the first half to make it 3-1. But India pumped in two quick goals after the break to increase the margin to 5-1, putting the game beyond France's reach.
France converted another PC in the second half, with Fabien Magner (57th minute) netting the ball this time to make it 5-2. But it was too late by then as India already had the match in their bag.
India took the lead as early as the 4th minute through Shivender and doubled it five minutes later in the 9th through a penalty corner that Sandeep converted without any fuss. India peppered the French half with continuous raids thereafter, mainly through Shivender and Sunil. However, they could add to their tally only in the 30th minute.
SV Sunil and Shivender combined for a lightening move down the right, at the end of which Sunil was deliberately brought down in the striking circle, forcing the umpire to signal a penalty stroke. Sandeep stepped up and converted it for his second goal of the match.
Sandeep completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half with another penalty corner conversion. Sunil made it 5-1 in the 39th minute, with Khandekar completing the rout in the 62nd.
India have now scored a mammoth 29 goals in three matches and top the table with nine points. France, Canada and Poland share the second spot with six points each, while Italy and Singapore are yet to open their account.
India's coach Michael Nobbs appeared pretty pleased with the outcome. "The intensity today was good, pretty much up to the standards we expect it to be; however, we wasted some simple chances."
Sandeep Singh has now scored the most goals for India, taking his tally up to seven after this hat-trick against France. India's next match is against Canada on Wednesday.
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