Dilpreet’s Four-Goal Blitz Powers India to 13-1 Win Over Indonesia

 The Indian Men’s Hockey Team made a commanding start to its Asian Games 2026 campaign, storming to a 13-1 victory over Indonesia in their opening Pool A encounter at the Kawasaki Juko Stadium on Sunday.
Eight different Indian players found the back of the net, with Dilpreet Singh leading the charge with a sensational four-goal performance. India controlled the contest from start to finish, combining attacking flair with clinical finishing to send an early statement of intent in their bid to defend their continental title.
India wasted little time asserting their dominance. Shilanand Lakra opened the scoring in the sixth minute, pouncing on a rebound after Indonesia goalkeeper Alam Fajar had saved Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick from a penalty corner.
Abhishek doubled India’s lead in the 12th minute, converting a rebound after Fajar had parried the initial attempt. The Indonesian goalkeeper produced further saves to keep out Mandeep Singh, but India maintained control and ended the opening quarter with a 2-0 advantage.
The second quarter turned into a goal-scoring spree for the Men in Blue. Dilpreet Singh struck twice within two minutes, finding the net in the 18th and 19th minutes to open his account for the tournament.
Rajinder Singh added another in the 19th minute with a well-worked finish, before Mandeep Singh scored his first goal of the campaign in the 21st minute. Harmanpreet Singh then converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute after earlier seeing his penalty stroke saved by Fajar.
India went into the half-time break with a commanding 7-0 lead, having demonstrated their ability to score from open play, penalty corners and flowing attacking combinations.
Indonesia finally got on the scoresheet early in the third quarter when captain Aulia Al Ardh converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute. Following a video referral, the goal was confirmed, reducing the deficit to 7-1.
India responded immediately. Shilanand Lakra scored his second goal in the 35th minute, while Dilpreet completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute. Sukhjeet Singh then joined the scoring in the 38th minute as India ended the third quarter with a commanding 10-1 lead.
The Indian attack continued to click in the final quarter. Jugraj Singh converted India’s second penalty corner attempt in the 47th minute after his first effort was blocked by the Indonesian first rusher.
A minute later, Sukhjeet Singh scored his second of the match following a driving run down the right flank and a well-worked attacking move.
Dilpreet then completed his remarkable four-goal haul in the 49th minute, deflecting the ball home after an initial touch from Abhishek to make it 13-1.
India comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to complete a comprehensive opening-match victory.
With three points secured, India will next face Sri Lanka in their second Pool A fixture on 22 September, with the match scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM IST. The Indian team will look to build on its attacking momentum and defensive discipline as the campaign progresses towards the knockout stages.