New Delhi: Vikramjit Singh scored a hat-trick to help India notch a convincing 3-1 win over Singapore in the four-nation International Hockey Challenge at Singapore on Thursday.
Singh was in top form and scored twice in the opening half in 11th and 24 minutes before sounding the board in the 49th minute to complete his hat-trick at Delta stadium.
The first and third goal came off penalty corner while the third was a penalty stroke.
For the hosts Harjeet Singh struck in the 68th minute.
Singapore gave a tough time to India late in the match and the defence had to thwart some good moves by the hosts.
Indian coach Romesh Pathania, however, felt there was much to learn from the match as the forward should have created more opportunities.
"The forwards did not play to expectations. I had expected goals from my forwards, not my midfield, " Pathania said.
Singapore coach Terry Khan was happy with the effort of his team despite the defeat.
"It was a good effort from the boys. I am extremely pleased with the way they took on India, who are without doubt, the more skillful opponent, and even though we were not as skillful as them, we showed determination and ability and that shows improvement," he said.
India take a rest and face tournament joint-leaders Pakistan, who stamped their class and routed Malaysia 6-0 to emerge at the top of leader board in another match on Thursday.
Abdul Haseem Khan scored a brace (23rd, 32nd) while Abbas Haider struck the third goal (29th).
Kashif Ali (51st) increased the lead through a penalty corner before field goals from Adeel Hussain (68th) and Muhammad Irfan Ali Khan (70th) gave a thumping win to Pakistan over the defending champions.
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