#AsiaCup2017 : Indian men's hockey team thrashes Japan by 5-1 in opening game

Dhaka, October 12: Indian men's hockey team on Wednesday registered a dominating win over Japan by 5-1 in their opening campaign at the 10th edition of the men' Asia Cup hockey tournament which is being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. SV Sunil, Lalit Upadhyay, Ramandeep Singh and Harmanpreet Singh scored a goal for Indian hockey team.

 

In the opening match of men' Asia Cup hockey tournament, Indian team got off to a quick start when Sunil after a fine one-two with Akashdeep Singh, pushed the ball into an open net and scored the first goal for his side. Soon, Japan struck its first goal in the very next minute through Kitazato's field strike. Later, the Indians completely dominated the game and thrashed Japan by 5-1.

Just before the second half, India extended their lead through Ramandeep, who scored a goal with a thundering shot from a tight angle after being set up by Sunil. Next, it was Harmanpreet's turn to register his first goal in the tournament and the drag-flicker did so by converting India's second penalty corner in the 40th minute.

However, Akashdeep missed a sitter a few minutes later. While Sunil found an unmarked Akashdeep inside the circle but he hit the ball straight to the pads of the Japanese goalie despite having all the time to find his spot. But soon Harmanpreet made the scoreline 5-1 in favour of India, scoring with a fine variation from their third penalty corner.

India also earned two more penalty corners in the final minutes of the game but wasted both. Japan too secured two scoring chances in the dying minutes in the form of penalty corners but the Indian defence didn’t let them score. The Indian team will next play hosts Bangladesh in their next Pool A match on Friday.