Rajgir woke up to an extremely hot and humid Sunday, a weather condition dreaded by both Indian and Japanese hockey players for afternoon matches. However, as the day progressed, cloud cover provided some relief for the 22 men on the turf at Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium. The weather improved, and so did India’s performance—albeit only marginally.
India Shows Improvement After Narrow Win Over China
After a shaky 4-3 victory against China in their Asia Cup Pool A opener on Friday, the Harmanpreet Singh-led squad produced a better performance to beat Japan 3-2 and qualify for the Super 4s. While India’s defense was more disciplined, allowing fewer circle penetrations, forwards missed several clear scoring opportunities. Reliable strikers Mandeep Singh and Abhishek missed open chances and rebounds that could have boosted India’s scoreline and confidence.
Harmanpreet Singh in Top Form Again
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who had scored a hat-trick against China, struck twice (5th, 46th minutes) to complement Mandeep Singh’s opening goal in the 4th minute. Japan’s Kosei Kawabe scored a brace (38th, 59th minutes), keeping the match tense until the final whistle.
India chief coach Craig Fulton said post-match, “The first priority has been achieved, but we still need to do better and when it clicks it will come.”
Quick Start Sets the Tone
India made an explosive start, scoring twice in the first five minutes. Forward Sukhjeet Singh delivered a perfect pass to Mandeep Singh, who finished past the Japanese goalkeeper. Within the next minute, India earned a penalty corner (PC). Harmanpreet doubled the home team’s lead after two retakes with a strong shot that struck Takashi Yoshikawa’s foot and went in.
Japan Fights Back but India Holds Firm
Japan, desperate to get on the scoreboard, counterattacked and earned a PC, but India’s defense stood strong. The world No.18 team improved in the second quarter, but India’s defense kept the lead intact. Jarmanpreet Singh saved Japan’s second PC in the 24th minute, with Vivek Sagar Prasad clearing three more retakes while Amit Rohidas served a green card penalty.
Japan eventually broke through in the third quarter when Kawabe’s angular shot found the bottom right corner past India goalie Krishan Pathak, marking his 150th international match.
India Maintains Composure and Secures Victory
Following Japan’s goal, India controlled possession and limited further threats. Harmanpreet scored again through Yoshikawa’s legs to restore the two-goal lead. Substitute goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made two brilliant acrobatic saves during a PC in the final quarter. Kawabe scored his second late in the match, but 10-man India held firm despite Harmanpreet receiving a yellow card in the dying minutes.
Next Challenge Awaits Against Kazakhstan
India now face Kazakhstan in their final group match on Monday evening. Coach Fulton noted, “It will make a big difference. You don’t really play in such hot weather and humidity, it’s really tough. It was a good challenge.”
Match Summary (India 3 – 2 Japan):
- Goals: Mandeep Singh (4’), Harmanpreet Singh (5’, 46’) | Kawabe (38’, 59’)
- Venue: Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium, Rajgir
- Notable Performances: Krishan Pathak – 150th cap; Vivek Sagar Prasad – key PC saves; Suraj Karkera – brilliant in final quarter
