Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2021: Indian team stunned by Japan
The Indian men’s hockey team could not replicate their form as they lost to Japan in the 2nd Semi-finals of the Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2021 played at Maulana Bhasani Stadium, Dhaka on Tuesday.
It was a perfect start for the Japanese team as they earned
2 back-to-back penalty corners. The 2nd penalty corner was awarded a
penalty stroke as Yamada converted into a goal in the first minute to give
Japan a 1-0 lead. The Japanese team put enough pressure on the Indian defense as
they earned more penalty corners. Fujishima converted a penalty corner into a
goal in 2nd minute to give Japan a commanding 2-0 lead. Japan looked
in complete control making life tough for the Indian defense. At the end of the
first quarter, Japan led 2-0.
The second quarter began on an aggressive note as Dilpreet
Singh converted a brilliant field goal in the 17th minute to bring
India back into the game. India controlled the possession and earned their
first penalty corner but did not yield any results. It was an attacking display
of hockey by the Japan team as they were awarded a penalty stroke via stick tackle
by Krishna Pathak. Kirishta converted the penalty stroke into a goal in the 29th
minute to give Japan a 3-1 lead. Japan put enough pressure on the Indian defense to
end the first half at a 3-1 scoreline.
It was an aggressive start for Japan as their forward put attack,
but Krishna Pathak provided with a superb save. The lack of solid defense cost
the Indian team as Kosei converted the goal in the 35th minute to give
Japan a commanding 4-1 lead. Ryoma produced another brilliant field goal with a
pass by Tanaka in the 41st minute leaving Japan a big 5-1 scoreline.
The Japanese team showed class and made life tough for the Indian defense. At the
end of the third quarter, Japan took a 5-1 lead.
The fourth quarter began with both teams fighting for possession.
Indian team earned a penalty corner as Harmanpreet Singh converted it into a goal
in the 53rd minute to reduce the gap. Japan was down to 10 men. Hardik Singh scored from penalty corner variation in the 59th minute. With
that, the defending Champions could not replicate their form and lost the match by 3-5.
India will now play arch-rivals Pakistan in the bronze medal match tomorrow.
Indian team stunned by Japan in the 2nd Semi-finals of Asian Men's Hockey Champions Trophy 2021
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