Asian Games 2023: India men’s hockey beat defending champions Japan 4-2

The Indian men’s hockey team secured a 4-2 victory over defending champions Japan in the third match of the 2023 Asian Games held at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou on Thursday.

This victory propelled India to regain the top spot in the Pool A hockey standings, displacing Pakistan. Both teams remained unbeaten after three matches, but India claimed the lead due to their superior goal difference of +33, compared to Pakistan’s +30.

News Flash:

India BEAT reigning Champions Japan 4-2 in their 3rd Group stage match.
➡️ Abhishek scored a brace. Amit Rohidas & Mandeep scored one each. #IndiaAtAsianGames#AGwithIAS #AsianGames2022 pic.twitter.com/bTI4UpXHtf

— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) September 28, 2023

Dominant India

Abhishek scored goals in the 13th and 48th, while Mandeep Singh and Amit Rohidas scored one goal each in the 24th and 34th minutes respectively. However, Japan managed to score two goals in the final four minutes through Genki Mitani in the 57th minute and Ryosei Kato in the 60th minute.

4-2 at the full time and #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 take the win over the Defending Champions Japan 🇯🇵.

Onto the next one 🔥🏑

Next Match.
📆 29th Sept 4:00 PM IST (Women) IND vs MAS.
📍Hangzhou, China.
📺 Streaming on Sony LIV and Sony Sports Network.#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #AsianGames… pic.twitter.com/7eN1qYZ8Sd

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 28, 2023

India’s men’s hockey team, currently ranked third by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), applied pressure on the 19th-ranked Japan right from the beginning, earning their first penalty corner in the fifth minute, although Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick missed the target.

Japan failed to score from consecutive penalty corners, but India’s solid defense, led by goalkeeper Krishnan Bahadur Pathak, kept the reigning champions’ attempt aside.

India, who won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Abhishek capitalized on a rebound following Nilakanta Sharma’s blocked shot inside the circle.

India continued to dominate in the second quarter, with Mandeep Singh extending their lead after receiving Nilakanta Sharma’s well-placed pass and converting it effortlessly. India added more pressure on Japan with their first penalty corner goal in the third quarter.

Indian men's Hockey team Coach Craig Fulton talking with Akashvani post 🇮🇳's victory over Japan.#AsianGames2022 @TheHockeyIndia @Media_SAI @MIB_India @prasarbharati @airnewsalerts pic.twitter.com/V27Vf1e8Jr

— Akashvani आकाशवाणी (@AkashvaniAIR) September 28, 2023

Selfless gameplay

A brilliant display in midfield by India in the third minute of the final quarter set the stage for Mandeep Singh’s selfless play in the attacking third. Mandeep Singh drew the Japanese goalkeeper out of position and passed the ball to Abhishek, who tapped it into the empty net, securing India’s fourth goal.

The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan will take place on Saturday and the winner of the match will claim the top spot in the Pool A points table. The top two teams from this group of six will advance to the semi-finals.