India remain unbeaten, thumps Poland 10-0 in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

A clinical performance by India saw them beat Poland 10-0 in their last hockey round-robin league match of the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia on Friday.

The Manpreet Singh-led squad will take on Korea in the final on Saturday.

Mandeep, the man of the match, with his contribution to India's scoreline became the highest goal-scorer in the tournament with a total of seven goals while Varun Kumar took his personal tally to five goals so far.

India controlled the proceedings with a structured game executing their plans to perfection. The team earned an early 2-0 lead in the match through Vivek Sagar Prasad in the first minute and Sumit Kumar's seventh-minute goal which was well-assisted by forward Mandeep's backhand pass in the circle.

The second quarter saw India strengthen their attack as they made space inside the striking circle. An in-form Sumit Kumar earned a penalty corner which was perfectly converted by drag-flicker Varun Kumar. The following minute saw Surender Kumar score off a penalty corner created by Amit Rohidas.

Though India had lost forward Shilanand Lakra to a green card in the 24th minute, the team created a penalty corner and the re-take resulted in Varun Kumar scoring off a direct, powerful flick to take India's lead to a strong 5-0. Simranjeet Singh then added to the team's lead when he worked with Mandeep after receiving a beautiful assist from Nilakanta Sharma to put the ball past Polish goalkeeper Mateusz Popiolkowski.

With a formidable 6-0 lead at half-time, India continued to dominate with their midfielders playing responsibly, shifting the ball swiftly and fiercely to make space. In the 36th minute, a good pass by Sumit to Nilakanta helped him score. Though India managed only one goal in the third quarter the team made a strong finish with a superior attack in the fourth quarter that fetched the team three more goals.

The Polish goalkeeper, meanwhile, was impressive as he made some brilliant saves off shots taken by Gursahibjit Singh and Simranjeet early in the fourth quarter. A powerfully struck penalty corner by Amit Rohidas was well-saved by Popiolkowski.

India's eighth and ninth goal came off skilful displays by Mandeep. His first goal was scored after he intercepted Michal Raciniewski to take a direct shot on goal while his second goal was well-assisted by Gurinder Singh. The team's tenth goal was scored after Surender Kumar earned a penalty corner with Amit making a good conversion.