In Brief
- India moved to the top of the tournament table with six points from two matches following their 5-2 win over China.
- Forward Sukhjeet Singh (12', 34') and skipper Harmanpreet Singh (27', 31') scored two goals each, while Jugraj Singh added a fifth in the 47th minute.
- China mounted a tough fight, finding the net through Yang Peng and captain Chen Chongcong to keep pressure on the hosts at key moments.
- Sukhjeet Singh earned Player of the Match honors for his sharp movement and two open-play goals.
Sukhjeet and Harmanpreet Break Down Chinese Resistance
Following a dominant 13-0 opening win against Bangladesh, India faced a significantly stiffer challenge from a disciplined Chinese squad in Jalandhar.
Sukhjeet Singh broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, latching onto a long aerial pass from Jugraj Singh before lifting the ball over Chinese goalkeeper Wu Huanyu from a tight angle. China responded in the second quarter when Yang Peng converted a penalty corner in the 26th minute, but Harmanpreet Singh restored India's lead a minute later with a trademark low drag-flick set-piece.
Late Surge Seals Top Spot for Hosts
India capitalized early in the second half as Harmanpreet converted another penalty corner in the 31st minute, followed closely by Sukhjeet's second strike in the 34th minute.
China continued to push, with skipper Chen Chongcong converting a penalty corner variation in the 36th minute to pull the score back to 4-2. However, defender Jugraj Singh sealed the victory for India in the 47th minute with a grounded drag-flick, keeping the hosts undefeated as they prepare to face Japan next.
