India, Sept. 20 -- Putting the lingering shadows of an underwhelming World Cup campaign firmly behind them, defending champions India opened their Asian Games title defence with a ruthless 13-1 demolition of Indonesia at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara on Sunday.

For a team desperate to secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, this Pool A opener served as both a vital palette cleanser and a commanding statement of intent.

As the undisputed kings of Asian hockey - holding the Asia Cup, the 2023 and 2024 Asian Champions Trophy titles, and the Asiad crown - world No.8 India has thoroughly conquered the continent in the last few years. Yet history poses one final hurdle: India has never successfully defe...