NEW DELHI: India and Japan played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in a closely contested match at the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Friday. India, fresh off a dominant 7-2 victory against China in their opening match, missed several chances to secure a win against a resilient Japanese side.
As it happened: India vs Japan
The match started with an engaging first quarter, where India showcased an attacking style of play. Despite some positive possession and scoring opportunities, both teams were unable to find the back of the net. Japan suffered an early setback with a player being substituted due to an injury, while India earned eight penalty corners during the quarter but failed to convert any of them.
The intensity remained high in the second quarter, with both teams pushing for a breakthrough. India's Jugraj Singh received a green card in the 27th minute, and the very next minute saw Japan being awarded a penalty corner. Ken Nagayoshi stepped up and converted the chance, putting Japan ahead in the 28th minute.
After the halftime break, India came out with a technical and relentless approach, engaging in aerial plays. Their efforts paid off when they earned a penalty corner in the 43rd minute. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh capitalised on the opportunity, firing a powerful flick into the net to level the score.
The final quarter witnessed a shift to attacking hockey from both sides. India had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they earned a penalty corner in the 55th minute. However, Japan successfully utilised a video referral to challenge the decision, and it was overruled. India's Mandeep Singh also received a yellow card a minute later, adding to the drama.
1/10:Asian Champions Trophy: India held 1-1 by Japan
TNN
2/10:India vs Japan
<p>India and Japan played out an enthralling 1-1 draw at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Friday. </p>IANS
3/10:1 out of 15
<p>India that converted five out of their nine penalty corners the previous day against China, could convert just one out of 15 PCs against Japan. </p>TNN
4/10:Rock-like defence
<p>While the missed chances will certainly be rued, the real game-changer was a rocklike Japanese defence that stood between India and a resounding victory. </p>IANS
5/10:Japan in front
<p>Japan dramatically pulled down India's PC conversion rate and pounced upon one of the only two PCs to go in front. </p>PTI
6/10:Harmanpreet Singh
<p>The body blow shook the home team and it eventually boiled down to skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who bailed them out with a stinging strike to save the day and the blushes. </p>PTI
7/10:Goal chance
<p>The first quarter saw attritional play as Japan stayed well organized in defence and prevented any clear field goal chance. </p>PTI
8/10:Japanese defence
<p>Whenever India drew a foul in the D, the Japanese blocked Harmanpreet's powerful drag-flicks with a series of rushes, not averse to conceding PCs to avoid goals. </p>PTI
9/10:Harmanpreet
<p>The first Indian PC arrived in the fifth minute and led to three more. Harmanpreet thrice struck the incoming rushers and was unsuccessful with the fourth one. </p>IANS
10/10:Japan's stonewalling
<p>The sequence was repeated in the 14th minute, when a searching run induced a short corner and again, Japan's robust stonewalling denied four Indian attempts. </p>ANIIndia's attack was relentless throughout the match, earning a total of 15 penalty corners compared to Japan's mere two. However, their inability to convert these chances into goals proved costly.
After a day's break, India will face Malaysia on Sunday, seeking to get back to winning ways. Meanwhile, Japan will be up against Pakistan on the same day, aiming to continue their impressive form.
(With inputs from PTI)
