Dhaka: Title contenders India produced an impressive performance to outclass Japan 5-1 in their opening campaign at the 10th edition of the men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament, here Wednesday.
In their first tournament under new coach Marijne Sjoerd, India meant business from the start and found the net in each quarter, twice in the third, to trounce their less-fancied but tricky opponents.
SV Sunil (third minute), Lalit Upadhyay (22nd), Ramandeep Singh (33rd) and Harmanpreet Singh (35th and 48th) were on target for India. Japan’s lone goal came through Kenji Kitazato’s stick in the fourth minute.
World No.6 India were quick to get off the blocks when Sunil, after a fine one-two with Akashdeep Singh, pushed the ball in an open net. But India’s joy was short-lived as Japan struck quickly back through Kitazato’s field strike.
However, after that goal, the Japanese challenge fizzled out slowly. The Indians completely dominated the proceedings and exploited every single bit of space given by the Japanese. They utilised both the wings to perfection to set up their attacks.
India got their first of their four penalty corners in the 21st minute but Harmanpreet’s flick didn’t have enough power to trouble the Japanese citadel.
However, soon after an inch perfect scoop from Harmanpreet from the Indian 25-yard line found Lalit inside the opposition ‘D’ and the striker slotted home with a reverse hit after brilliantly controlling the ball.
Two minutes into the second half India extended their lead through Ramandeep, who scored a gem with a thundering shot from a tight angle after being set up by Sunil.
Next it was Harmanpreet’s turn to register his name in the scoresheet and the drag-flicker did so by converting India’s second penalty corner. Minutes later, Akashdeep Singh missed a sitter after Sunil found him unmarked inside the circle. But soon Harmanpreet made the score line 5-1 in favour of India, scoring with a fine variation from their third penalty corner.
The India earned two more penalty corners in the final minutes of the game but wasted both. Japan too secured two scoring chances in the dying minutes in the form of penalty corners but the Indian defence stood firm. Dipsan Tirkey also played an outstanding game for India, nixing many moves that the Japanese tried to construct down the right flank.
The Indians will next play hosts Bangladesh in their next Pool A match, Friday.
