India’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh once again stole the spotlight, scoring a brace as india defeated japan 3-2 to secure a place in the Super Four stage of the hero Men’s Asia Cup on Sunday.
1. india Starts Strong with Early Lead
- The hosts got off to a flying start when Mandeep Singh scored a stunning field goal in the 4th minute.
- A brilliant collaboration saw Harmanpreet, Jarmanpreet Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh set up Mandeep, who beat two defenders and the goalkeeper to push the ball in.
- India earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 5th minute, with Harmanpreet converting the second to double the lead.
2. Goalkeeping Heroics Keep japan at Bay
- Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, playing his 150th international match, made crucial saves during Japan’s penalty corners to maintain India’s two-goal cushion.
- Pathak’s performance was instrumental in denying japan opportunities, particularly in the first and second quarters, keeping india firmly in control.
3. japan Fights Back But india Responds
- Japan pulled one back in the 38th minute through Kosei Kawabe, with a precise shot after receiving a pass from Kaito Tanaka.
- India restored the two-goal advantage just before the end of the third quarter when Harmanpreet scored his second penalty corner goal, demonstrating his mastery over set-pieces.
4. Late Drama as japan Narrows Gap
- In the final minutes, japan pressed hard, earning multiple penalty corners.
- Despite India’s tight defence and Suraj Karkera’s spectacular saves, Kawabe managed to score his second goal two minutes before the final hooter, giving japan a consolation goal.
- India’s lead held, finalizing the score at 3-2 and confirming their spot in the Super Four stage.
5. Pool A Standings: india Leads
- With two wins in as many games, india tops Pool A with six points, ahead of japan and china, each with one win.
- India’s final group stage match is against Kazakhstan on Monday, while the winner of Japan vs China will also advance to the Super Four.
6. india Shows Improved Coordination and Pace
- Compared to their opener against china, india displayed faster, more coordinated hockey, frequently attacking Japan’s circle.
- Early chances, like the one in the 2nd minute where Harmanpreet found Manpreet, demonstrated India’s ability to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities.
7. China’s Massive Win Keeps Hopes Alive
- In the other Pool A match, China demolished kazakhstan 13-1, keeping their Super Four hopes alive.
- Despite kazakhstan taking an early lead through Agymtay Duisengazy within 12 seconds, china surged with goal-scoring onslaught, including multiple goals by Du Shihao, Changliang Lin, and Yuanlin Lu.
8. What’s Next for india in the Asia Cup
- India will now focus on their final Pool A match against Kazakhstan, aiming to maintain momentum and secure a top position going into the Super Four.
- Harmanpreet’s continued brilliance, backed by a solid defensive line and goalkeeping, makes india one of the favorites to compete for the title.
9. Key Takeaways
- Harmanpreet Singh is in sensational form, now scoring consistently from penalty corners.
- India’s goalkeeping and defensive organisation remain critical against strong opponents.
- Japan and china are still in the mix, ensuring a competitive race to the Super Four stage.
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