Kuantan (Mayasia): India started off their fourth men’s Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament with a 10-2 win over Japan here on Thursday.
Rupinder Pal Singh scored six goals for India in the 9th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, 46th, 47th minute, respectively, while Ramadeep Singh (2nd, 15th),Talwinder Singh (19th) and Yousuf Affan (50th) also scored the goals. Kenta Tanaka and Hiromasa Ochiai scored for Japan in 23rd and 38th minute for Japan.
According to a report in Chandigarh Tribune, Rupinder converted four penalty corners as fancied India steamrolled the young and inexperienced Japanese side. “With Rupinder converting six of India’s 10 penalty corners, it was a day to forget for Japan, who had won the silver medal in the previous edition, behind Pakistan in 2013. Ramandeep opened India’s account in the second minute.”
According to a report in The Firstpost, “Ramandeep's reverse drive from top of the circle in the 15th minute caught the custodian on the wrong foot and sounded the boards to give India a 4-0 lead in the first quarter. Rupinder's low flick went into the citadel off the goalkeeper's pads in the 17th minute before Talwinder Singh slotted a reverse hit past the goalkeeper in the 19th minute. Rupinder converted his fourth successive penalty corner shot in the 22nd minute to boost India's lead to 7-0, before Japan benefited from a lapse in the Indian defence in the next minute that paved the way for Kenta Tanaka to score with a flash strike.”
According to a report in Tribune, Yousuf rounded off India’s scoring in the 50th minute with a flash strike in a crowded zone and the goal was confirmed after a video referral.
Earlier, hosts Malaysia stunned twice defending champions Pakistan 4-2 with Faizal Saari scoring two goals in the home team’s rally from 1-2 deficit.
