The Indian men’s hockey team continued their winning run at the Asia Cup with a 3-2 victory over Japan in their second Pool A fixture at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar on Sunday. With this win, India secured a spot in the Super 4s stage of the tournament.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh (5’, 46’) and Mandeep Singh (4’) scored for India, while Kosei Kawabe (38’, 59’) netted twice for Japan. The match also marked a special milestone for goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak, who celebrated his 150th international appearance.
India made a bright start in the opening quarter, scoring two quick goals within the first five minutes. In the fourth minute, Sukhjeet Singh collected the ball on the baseline and delivered a precise pass to Mandeep Singh, who beat his marker and slotted the ball into the net. Just a minute later, India earned their first penalty corner of the match. After two retakes, captain Harmanpreet Singh fired a powerful shot that deflected off the Japanese goalkeeper’s foot and went in, doubling India’s lead. Japan also earned a penalty corner in the 13th minute but failed to convert.
Japan improved in the second quarter, creating several chances, but India’s defence held firm. In the 19th minute, Ryosuke Shinohara dribbled through the middle and unleashed a backhand shot that narrowly missed the target. Japan won another penalty corner in the 24th minute, but Jarmanpreet Singh’s goal-line save denied them. Towards the end of the half, India earned their second penalty corner, but Amit Rohidas was unable to find the target with his drag flick.
Japan pulled one back in the third quarter when Kosei Kawabe (38’) collected a difficult pass inside the circle and fired an angular shot past the Indian keeper. The goal lifted Japan’s tempo as they pressed hard for an equaliser. However, India controlled possession and slowed the game down. Just before the quarter ended, India won a crucial penalty corner, which Harmanpreet Singh (46’) converted with a well-placed strike through the goalkeeper’s legs to restore their two-goal cushion.
In the final quarter, Japan won an early penalty corner, but Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera pulled off two brilliant saves in succession. Soon after, Abhishek found space on the right flank and struck a powerful backhand shot, which was kept out by the Japanese keeper. In the dying minutes, Kawabe (59’) scored his second of the match on the rebound to reduce the deficit. India were reduced to 10 men in the final minute after Harmanpreet received a yellow card, but they managed to hold their ground and secure the win.
India will look to maintain their momentum when they face Kazakhstan in their final Pool A clash on Monday.