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New Delhi: India began their quest for a third Asia Cup title and a place in the 2014 World Cup by thrashing the lowly Oman 8-0 in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Saturday - thanks to a hat-trick by young sensation Mandeep Singh.
Mandeep opened the scoring for India as early as the 4thd minute and the lead was doubled by debutant Ramandeep Singh in the 17th minute. Defender VR Raghunath converted a penalty stroke in the 28th min and Rupinder Pal Singh made it 4-0 a minute before half-time with a penalty-corner drag flick.
Mandeep (40th and 44th) scored twice in the final 35 minutes. Malak Singh made it 7-0 in the 47th minute, with the final goal coming off the stick of SK Uthappa in the final minute.
Quick release was the feature of India's stick-work on the blue Sultan Azlan Shan Stadium turf, a noticeable change in the first outing since Michael Nobbs left. Besides, the young forward-line meant business from the word go - signalling their attacking intent.
Sardar Singh, recovering from a viral illness, was not expected to be on the pitch for the opening game, but he did made his way to the playing arena to ensure the forwards were fed enough balls from the midfield.
Though India's field play looked good, other than a few trapping errors, penalty corner conversion was not up to scratch with a poor conversion rate of 2 out of 6.
Other than Ramandeep, Nikin Thimmaiah also made his international debut in the match. India take on South Korea in their second Pool B match on Monday.
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