Skipper Harmanpreet scored a brace as the Indian men's hockey team thrashed France 4-0 to begin its campaign in the Four-Nation Tournament on a rousing note in Cape Town on Monday. (More Hockey News)
The Indian defence produced a resolute performance with France failing to get past veteran PR Sreejesh and 🐭Krishan Bahadur Path🐻ak at the goalpost.
Harmanpreet (13th, 26th minutes) converted two penalty corners while Lalit Upadhyay (42nd) and vice-captain Hardik Singh (49) were the other goal-getters for India.
India broke the deadlock two minutes from the first quarter through Harmanpreet's powerful drag-flic🤪k. He doubled the lead in the second quarter, converting another penalty corner.&nbs🌼p;
Lalit made 🐼the scoreline 3-0 after the change of ends when he found the back of the French goal through a penal♍ty corner variation.
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In the final quart🍸er, Hardik extended the lead to take the game beyond France's reach by scoring a finely executed field goal.
The week-long tournament ꦫfeatures France, the Netherlands, India and hosts South Africa.
India will face France again in their second match on Wednesday, followed by a match against hosts 🌠South Africa on Friday and then against the Netherlands on Sunday✃.
