Indian men's hockey team register second successive win at Asian Champions Trophy, defeat Japan 5-1 to stay on top of points table
The Indian men's hockey team registered their second successive win at the Asian Champions Trophy with a fluent 5-1 victory over Japan on Monday (September 9). Craig Fulton's chargers began with a flourish, manufacturing a couple of quick forays that resulted in two goals in the first three minutes courtesy of Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek.
Sanjay displayed his prowess as a drag-flicker adding to India's tally in the second quarter before Kazumasa Matsumoto got the Japanese back into the game with a stunning goal in the third quarter.
Uttam Singh sealed the deal for the Indians with a fourth goal in the final quarter while Sukhjeet finished things off for the Olympic bronze medalists at the death thus ending up with a brace.
Sukhjeet Singh was in the thick of things right from the outset as he got one past the Japanese goalkeeper in the second minute of play after having missed one earlier. Abhishek doubled the lead immediately after with a magnificent solo effort that left the Japanese defence stranded.
Raj Kumar Pal conceded a penalty corner in the 12th minute. The Japanese failed to convert the initial set piece and the subsequent re-award that was taken by Shota Yamada.
Araijeet SIngh Hundal angled one back for Abhishek early in the second quarter but the shot was directed wide of target before Sanjay scored the third goal for the Indians off their very first short corner in the 17th minute.
The Japanese earned their third penalty corner in the 19th minute but Suraj Karkera did well to keep the drag flick out with the Indians heading into the long breather with a two-goal lead.
Kazumasa Matsumoto reduced the deficit for Japan in the 41st minute with a brilliant run that was followed by a scorcher of a shot that Krishan Pathak had no answer to. Uttam Singh combined well with Jarmanpreet Singh to score India's fourth goal in the 54th minute.
Mohammed Raheel forced a couple of good saves from the Japanese goalkeeper who was then unable to stop Sukhjeet Singh from scoring in the last minute.
India on top of Asian Champions Trophy points table
Two drawn games on the opening day of the Asian Champions Trophy meant that the Indians, who were the only team to have registered a win on Sunday were perched on top of the points table with 3 points.
South Korea and Japan played out a 5-5 draw while Malaysia and Pakistan also split points with the scoreline reading 2-2.
Another drawn match between South Korea and Pakistan which ended 2-2 on Monday enabled the Indians to consolidate their position at the top of the Asian Champions Trophy points table. India now has 6 points from 2 games.
The Indians take on Malaysia on September 11 after a rest day on Tuesday. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side will then lock horns with South Korea before the much-anticipated clash with traditional rivals Pakistan on September 14.