Team India celebrating after scoring against New Zealand. (PTI Photo)
Bengaluru, July 22 (IANS): The Indian men's hockey team wrapped up the three-match test series against New Zealand thrashing the visitors 4-0 at the Sports Authority of India stadium on Sunday. India won the series 3-0 to further raise hopes for the 18th Asiads, scheduled in August in Jakarta.
Rupinder Pal Singh (8th minute), Surender Kumar (15th minute), Mandeep Singh (44th minute) and Akashdeep Singh (60th minute) scored for India.
In the first quarter, India took a 1-0 lead after Rupinder scored off the team's second Penalty Corner. He fired low towards the right corner of the post, taking his personal goal count of the series to four. Brilliant stick work by Surender Kumar and a clever assist by Rupinder from the top of the striking circle earned India their second goal.
The third was set up by Sardar Singh as he worked magic making way from the left flank, beating the defenders to find Simranjeet Singh who later flicked it to Mandeep. A simple yet clever deflection was enough to beat New Zealand goalkeeper George Enersen. Akashdeep Singh made it 4-0 in the 60th minute.
