Harmanpreet, Abhishek Lead India's 4-1 Win Over Japan at Jalandhar
A penalty corner conversion from captain Harmanpreet Singh shifted the balance of the match, and India went on to beat Japan 4-1 in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Friday.
The win was built on a standout performance from Abhishek, who scored twice in his 150th international game. Vishnu Kant Singh added a goal from a memorable individual effort, while Japan's only goal came through Shota Yamada's penalty stroke.
The result means India have won all three matches in the tournament, the first international hockey tournament in Punjab in the last decade. The defending champions have also secured their place in the semi-finals.
India made two changes, bringing in Vishnu Kant and Angad Bir Singh while resting Mandeep Singh and Neelakanta Sharma.
Japan opened with a high press and produced the first chance of the match, winning a penalty corner in the second minute. However, the early threat did not lead to a goal.
The breakthrough came in the 11th minute. Vivek Sagar Prasad sent a pass to Sukhjit Singh on the left of the circle, and Sukhjit's quick movement set up Abhishek to score. Japan equalised late in the first half from a penalty stroke after the ball struck Sanjay's arm on the goal line. Yamada scored in the 15th minute, and the teams were level at 1-1 at halftime.
Japan dominated possession in the second quarter, with their defence making it difficult for India to find space. Krishan Bahadur Pathak made an important save by coming off his line to stop a Japanese attack. India had their own opportunities, including a backhand from Angad Bir Singh in the 24th minute and a strong effort by Shilanand Lakra that was saved by the goalkeeper. A move between Harmanpreet and Abhishek in the 27th minute also came to nothing, and an India referral appeal for a foul was unsuccessful.
India came out stronger after the interval and kept hold of the ball for long spells. Sukhjit's shot in the 32nd minute went over the bar. Japan had a penalty corner in the 36th minute, but captain Riki Fujishima could not beat the Indian defence. Harmanpreet then put India ahead in the 47th minute with a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner. It was his fifth goal of the tournament, and all of his goals have come from set pieces.
Abhishek scored his second goal in the 51st minute after a neat sequence. Dilpreet Singh passed to Sanjay on the left, and the defender found Abhishek, who finished. Vishnu Kant then scored in the 56th minute, controlling Harmanpreet's long aerial pass outside the circle before going around the goalkeeper to score.
India controlled the closing minutes to seal the 4-1 victory.
Abhishek, who was named Player of the Match, said the aim in the final quarter was to take control and press Japan. He said India's approach in the last quarter had produced the goals. He also credited coach Craig Fulton, who had asked the team at halftime to pressure Japan. Abhishek said the team had worked to win penalty corners from the start and that Harmanpreet had made the most of the first set-piece opportunity.
In other Friday results, Malaysia beat Bangladesh 6-1 for their third straight win to reach the semi-finals, while South Korea defeated China 2-1.
India are now top of the standings with nine points and a goal difference of plus 19 after three matches. Malaysia are second with nine points and a goal difference of plus 8. Japan are third with six points, and South Korea have three points. China and Bangladesh are still searching for their first point after three defeats each.
India's next game is against Malaysia on Sunday in Jalandhar.