KARACHI, April 24: Three goals by Tushar Khandker propelled India to a facile 10-0 win against Bangladesh and book a semifinal berth at Junior Asia Cup on Saturday. Defending champions South Korea also made it to last four with a 8-2 victory but not before a first half scare by Chinese Taipei at Hockey Club of Pakistan.
India coach Harendra Singh felt satisfied, although minnows Bangladesh proved feared penalty corner striker Sandeep Singh is not invincible by unnerving the full-back at least twice which forced the Indians to try indirect drills.
"I am satisfied with my team's performance. Sandeep (Singh) was not unimpressive today as he scored twice from four attempts. It is a good sign that we are not depending on him. He is our major weapon but others have to play their role too," he told a post-match press conference.
Harendra reiterated all he wanted was full points in each game and would not be disappointed if his side did not get a chance of facing arch-rivals Pakistan in semifinals or final.
"We are not here to please the fans. We don't care whether we face Pakistan or not at any stage (of the tournament).
"Our side has the mental toughness and eight players have played for the senior side at Azlan Shah Cup, while Sandeep Micheal and William Xalxo are regular senior team players. I respect the Malaysians and will chalk out a strategy for Sunday's match," he said.
Bangladesh coach Qamar Ibraheem said his players contained Sandeep Singh in the first half but could not cope with the pressure because of lack of exposure.
"We effectively checked Sandeep Singh in the first half by blocking him with quick dashes. But we failed to control the Indians on indirect drills owing to lack of exposure," he said.
Pakistan will take on South Korea in pool 'A' and in pool 'B' India meet Malaysia in matches that will determine the leaders and semifinal opponents.
Indian raced to a 3-0 lead with rapid-fire goals, starting with a Khandker first-minute strike. Skipper Sandeep Micheal doubled the advantage two minutes later, while Girish Pimpale netted the third in the 7th minute.
Indians could not score in the 13th minute on the first of the nine penalty corners as the ball did not stop, but a Birender Lakra effort saw the scoreboard moving in the 14th minute.
The world champions were denied when Bangladesh goalkeeper Zahid Hossain produced a fine save off Sandeep Singh push in the 18th minute.
Sandeep Singh, a 19-year-old from Patiala, returned frustrated when his low and relatively slow push was blocked effectively by an onrushing dasher in the 24th minute.
Quick change in strategy by the Indians paid off as Khandker conjured up his second with an indirect drill in the 29th minute.
Sandeep Singh restored his confidence with a short corner conversion in the 42nd minute and Vivek Gupta finished off the job on a penalty corner rebound two minutes later.
Bangladesh conceded their eighth goal in the 46th minute when a Sandeep Singh waist-high push crashed into the net. Hari Prasad was on target in the 48th minute with a scoop from the left.
Khandker had his name onto the scoresheet for the third time slamming home from the top of circle in the 52nd minute to wrap up the proceedings.
South Korea's perfect start through a 7th-minute Sung Kweon Hong goal was neutralized when Chinese Taipei equalised via Tu-Chang Lee seven minutes later.
There was another shock in store for the holders as Lee gave hid side a 2-1 lead with a 20th-minute strike.
South Koreans, however, recovered as Jong Hyun Jang levelled in the 38th minute. Chinese Taipei were reduced to ten players the next minute after captain Kuo-Heg Fan was yellow carded.
Jong Hyun Jang (42nd-minute), Eun Seong Hong (45th, 46th minutes), Min Ho Yoo (47th, 66th minutes), and Yong Hwan Kim (68th minutes) completed the tally.
Sunday's fixtures:
Sri Lanka v China 11.00am; Singapore v Japan 1.00pm; India v Malaysia 3.00pm; South Korea v Pakistan 5.00pm.
