Argha Bhattacharya
Bhubaneswar, May 5: A well organised Indian team performed as per their ranking and defeated Japan 2-0 courtesy goals from SK Uthappa and Dharamvir Singh to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match hockey Test series at the Kalinga Stadium here Tuesday. The first match of the series had ended in a goalless draw.
In the seventh minute India got the best chance of the game when Ramandeep Singh dribbled past the Japanese defenders and squared the ball to Nikkin Thimmaiah but his shot was saved by Japanese goal keeper Suguru Shimmoto. In the resulting counter-attack, Kenji Kitazato ran down the middle and was through on goal but hit the side netting with only Indian custodian PR Sreejesh to beat.
In the second quarter both India and Japan missed a penalty corner each. VR Raghunath’s shot was saved by a defender while Sreejesh parried away Hirotaka Zendana’s effort.
India however broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Yuvraj Walmiki made a speedy run down the left into the box foxing a few Japanese defenders and squared it to an unmarked Uthappa who just tapped the ball into the net and the partisan crowd roared in ecstasy.
In the third quarter both sides exhibited resolute defending with no shots on target. Gurbaj Singh skipped past the defenders once but he was stopped in his stride by Japanese custodian Katsuya Takase, who came on as a substitute, before Gurbaj could cause any damage.
The hosts doubled the lead in the opening minutes of the last quarter as SV Sunil ran into the box and unleashed a shot, which was deflected by the on-rushing Takase and Dharamvir scored on the rebound.
From there it was all India as they attacked in waves and should have increased the tally had Nikkin not missed a sitter in the final stages of the game.
