India defeated a valiant Japan 3-2 on Sunday to go to the Asia Cup Super-Four stage, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, who continued to play incredible hockey by scoring a brace.
Mandeep Singh scored a brilliant field goal in the fourth minute to give the home team a well-earned victory, and Harmanpreet (5th, 46th minutes) converted two penalty corners after scoring a hat-trick in the first match against China.
Kosei Kawabe scored the goals for Japan in the 38th and 58th minutes.
India is ahead of China and Japan, who each have one win, in Pool A with six points after winning two straight games.
India’s encounter against Kazakhstan on Monday will wrap off their group games, and the other Super Four team from Pool A will be determined by the outcome of the match between China and Japan.
India’s performance was significantly better than it was in their last game. They played fast-paced hockey and appeared better coordinated, which led to frequent incursions inside the opposing circle.
In the second minute, Harmanpreet found Manpreet, who missed his shot from just inside the circle by an inch. This was India’s first opportunity. Mandeep’s brilliant field goal gave India the lead a few minutes later, and they quickly surged ahead.
Mandeep was in front of the goal thanks to a fantastic set-up by Harmanpreet, Jarmanpreet Singh, and a last pass by Sukhjeet Singh. Mandeep used his body movement to push the ball in past the goalie and two defenders.
Harmanpreet doubled India’s advantage in the fifth minute after India earned back-to-back penalty corners.
Japan took their first penalty corner two minutes before the first quarter ended, and then another, but Indian goalie Krishan Bahadur Pathak, who was playing in his 150th international match, produced excellent saves to maintain the lead on both occasions.
Four consecutive penalty corners gave Japan opportunities in the second quarter, but the Indians put up a strong defense.
When India earned another set piece three minutes before halftime, they too had a chance to increase their lead, but they were unable to take a two-goal lead into the half.
Mandeep was fed by Sukhjeet inside the circle minutes after the change of ends, and the Japanese goalie stopped his shot from the top of the circle.
In the 38th minute, Japan equalized by a first-time effort from Kawabe, who had been passed by Kaito Tanaka.
Harmanpreet, however, converted another set piece with a strong low flick just at the end of the third quarter to give India a two-goal advantage again.
Japan managed to gain another penalty corner in the 49th minute, but Suraj Karkera made two outstanding stops. In the closing minutes, Japan tried harder and was awarded two penalty corners, but they were unsuccessful.
Jarmanpreet was caught off guard inside the circle when Kawabe scored his second goal of the day two minutes prior to the final hooter.
