Indian hockey team registered their second consecutive victory at the men’s Asia Cup, defeating Japan 3-2 on Sunday, August 31 at the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium in Rajgir. This win propelled India to the top of Pool A with six points from two matches, putting them in a strong position to qualify for the Super 4s, which will feature the top two teams from each group.
India beat Japan 3-2 to record second straight win in Hockey Asia Cup
The Indian team's goals came from a combination of skill and strategic play. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored twice from penalty corners, while Mandeep Singh opened the scoring just four minutes into the game. Japan’s Kosei Kawabe scored both goals for his team, one in the third quarter and another in the fourth, but his efforts were not enough to prevent India from claiming the win. India will now face Kazakhstan on September 1.
Under the guidance of coach Craig Fulton, the Indian team asserted their dominance early in the match, finding the back of the net just four minutes after the start. Mandeep Singh skillfully trapped a pass from Sukhjeet Singh on the left flank, and with a swift turn in front of the Japanese goal, he evaded a defender to score India's first field goal of the tournament. This was a significant achievement, as head coach Fulton had specifically emphasized the need for field goals before the game, especially after their previous match against China where all four goals came from penalty corners.
India's early pressure continued to pay dividends, and they soon doubled their lead through a penalty corner. After forcing a series of four consecutive penalty corners, which relentlessly tested the Japanese defense, star drag-flicker and captain Harmanpreet Singh converted the fourth attempt. His powerful, low shot secured the team's second goal within the first eight minutes of the match, solidifying their strong start.
The second quarter unfolded with a noticeable decrease in tempo, as both sides created opportunities but struggled to convert them into goals. During this period, India's veteran custodian, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, showcased his exceptional skill with several fantastic saves. It was a fitting performance for the goalkeeper, who was felicitated before the game by Hockey India officials to celebrate his 150th appearance for the national team. Despite a notable late attempt from Sukhjeet Singh that went wide, no further goals were scored, and the first half concluded with the home side holding a comfortable 2-0 lead.
In the third quarter, the momentum shifted decidedly in Japan's favor, as they began to control the pace of the game, making effective circle penetrations and quickly regrouping to neutralise India's counter-attacks. Their persistence was rewarded eight minutes into the quarter when Kosei Kawabe scored. Receiving the ball inside the circle, he skillfully shielded it from the Indian defender Abhishek, then created just enough space with a quick turn to fire a powerful shot from an acute angle, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Echoing a pattern from their previous match, India struggled with their finishing, missing several key chances to extend their lead. A potent strike from Mandeep Singh was brilliantly saved by the Japanese goalkeeper in one such instance. Ultimately, it was captain Harmanpreet Singh who once again stepped up, successfully converting a penalty corner right at the end of the quarter. Following an injection from Hardik Singh, Harmanpreet's drag-flick went straight through the goalkeeper's legs to restore India's two-goal cushion. Shortly after, a change in goal saw Suraj Karkera replace Krishan Bahadur Pathak, and he was immediately tested, making two crucial saves from a penalty and its subsequent rebound.
The final quarter evolved into a tense, nail-biting encounter with both teams evenly matched. Japan repeatedly came close to scoring, but Karkera stood firm in the Indian goal, making several vital saves. However, with just two minutes left on the clock, a long-range shot deflected off the Indian post and fell perfectly to Kawabe, who made no mistake, scoring his second field goal with a sharp turn. The final minute was a nervy affair for India, made more challenging when captain Harmanpreet received a yellow card, forcing them to play with a man down. Despite the late pressure, Fulton’s team held on to secure a 3-2 victory, a result that propelled them to the top of the Group A table.
Meanwhile, after their initial loss to India, China bounced back with a dominant 13-1 victory over Kazakhstan, keeping their tournament hopes alive. This win moved them into second place in Pool A with a significant goal difference. To secure their spot in the Super 4s, China will need to either beat or draw with Japan in their upcoming match. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan, who are making only their second appearance in the tournament, have been eliminated after two major losses and will play their final match against India.
In Pool B, there were some major shifts in the standings. Bangladesh secured an 8-3 victory over Chinese Taipei, effectively ending Chinese Taipei's chances of reaching the Super 4s. In another key match, Malaysia avenged their previous Asia Cup final defeat by beating Korea 4-1, which guaranteed their spot in the next round. The outcome sets up a high-stakes match between Korea and Bangladesh, which will act as a de facto quarterfinal. The winner will join Malaysia in the Super 4s, but a draw would favor Korea due to their superior goal difference.