In a spectacular display of hockey that was harsh, Indian men’s hockey team defeated the Canada National Hockey Team 14-3 at their pool game during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 which secured their place for the semi-final on the Saturday.
Fast Start and Early Domination
The floodgates reopened early for India. Within the fourth minute of the match, Nilakanta scored to make India ahead. Shortly after, Rajinder Singh doubled the lead in the 10th minute. Canada came back quickly with an unconverted penalty corner however, India immediately responded– Jugraj Singh and Amit Rohidas hit the goal quickly. At the end of the first quarter India had a 4-1 lead, setting the foundation for an impressive performance.
Offensive Onslaught — India Unstoppable
The violence continued into the second half. Rajinder Singh (24′) and Dilpreet Singh (25′) added goals quickly Then Jugraj scored his second shot in the 26th minute the game was over and India were 7-1 ahead. The Canadian defense appeared stretched under continuous tension.
Canada tried to regroup and scored the goal of a penalty stroke through Matthew Sarmento in the 35th minute. However, momentum remained with India — Jugraj had his hat-trick completed within the 38th minute and Selvam Karthi increased the lead to 9-2 midway through the 44th minute.
Final Quarter: A Goal-Fest
The final quarter was an all-goal affair. Sanjay, Abhishek (who scored two goals), Rohidas and Jugraj (who scored a penalty-stroke goal during the 50th minute) all made it on the scoreboard. Canada got a consolation point by Jyothswaroop Sidhu. However, at that point, India’s rout lead was unquestionable. The game ended at 14-3.
Jugraj Singh’s four-goal display was the highlight of India’s demolition. His strike rates, along with the contributions of nearly every player, highlighted India’s depth of attack.
What This Means — Final Awaits
This victory was a huge one. India won their pool, and secured their place in the finals, where they will take on Belgium, the national hockey team of hockey, which is the only team that has beaten them by a narrow margin earlier during the competition.
The game showcased not only individual brilliance — notably from Jugraj Singh but also the team’s cohesion, effective penalty-corner conversions and a clear tactical vision. The squad, which is young, comprising a number of new or less experienced players — played well under pressure, demonstrating their ability and preparedness for major games.
For analysts and fans the Azlan Shah Cup could be among the most powerful performances by India over the last few years during the Azlan Shah Cup. As the final draws near and expectations are set to rise, the expectation will surely increase. If India continues to improve on their form they’ll be formidable contenders to win the title.
