Hero Asia Cup 2022 Super 4s: Indian team beat Japan in a closely fought game
The Indian young hockey team started their Super 4’s journey with a closely fought game against Japan played at GBK Stadium, Jakarta on Saturday.
Japan began the first quarter aggressively, putting
enough pressure on the Indian defense. They earned their 1st penalty
corner, but the drag-flick was powerfully and deemed high. Both teams showed
aggression and made life tough for their opposition. A superb 3D skill by
Manjeet from the right angle in the 8th minute gave India a 1-0 lead.
India was awarded a penalty corner soon after scoring a goal but did not yield
anything. Japan put enough pressure, but the Indian defense remained solid enough.
At the end of the first quarter, India led 1-0.
It was a decent start for Japan as they earned a penalty corner
in the first three minutes of 2nd quarter. Takuma Niva scored from the rebound as Suraj saved it from a first shot in the 18th minute helping
Japan level the score at 1-1. Japan showed intent after the equalizer, but
Suraj remained alert to the task. They earned 2 back-to-back penalty corners,
but both did not convert into goals. A superb pass by SV Sunil to Kerthi but
hit straight to Japan’s goalkeeper. Manider was awarded a green card as he
smashed the shot after the whistle. At the end of the first half, both teams were
level at 1-1.
It was a closely fought first half as Japan had 9 circle penetrations
as compared to 8 by India. Japan had 4 penalty corners but 1 was converted into
a goal. As far as India, they had only 1 penalty corner.
The Indian team began the third quarter on a positive note
as brilliant from Uttam Singh converted by Pawan Rajbhar in the 35th
minute giving India a 2-1 lead. Japan put enough pressure on the Indian defense
with their 5th penalty corner but did not convert anything. Indian
team made good moves as they ended the third quarter at 2-1.
Japan made aggressive moves right from the word go in the fourth
quarter, but the Indian defense remained solid enough. They tried their level best
to make life challenging for the Indian team with another penalty corner, but Siwach
asked for a review and the decision remained. Japan made aggressive moves but the Indian defense was up to mark. Thanks to a superb effort, India held on to a
2-1 win.
The Indian avenged their 2-5 loss to Japan in the first pool
match. The match was evenly matched as Japan had 15 circle penetrations as
compared to 13 by India. Japan had 5 penalty corners and 1 converted while
India had only 1 penalty corner.
They will now play Malaysia in the 2nd match to
be played tomorrow. In another Super 4 match, South Korea and Malaysia drew 2-2.
India beat Japan in the first match of Super 4's of Hero Asia Cup 2022
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