India beat Japan in Olympic Test Event

Tokyo Daily News
Tokyo Daily News

Striker Mandeep Singh struck a fine hat-trick to help the Indian men's hockey team beat hosts Japan 6-3 and book a summit clash berth in the Olympic Test Event in Tokyo Tuesday.

The Indian team bounced back from their 1-2 loss against NewZealand with an impressive display in their third match at the Oi HockeyStadium here. India again face New Zealand in the summit clash on Wednesday.

Mandeep found the target in the 9th, 29th and 30th minuteswhile Nilakanta Sharma (3rd), Nilam Sanjeep Xess (7th) and Gurjant Singh (41st)were the other scorers for India. Kentaro Fukuda (25th), Kenta Tanaka (36th)and Kazuma Murata (52nd) scored the goals for Japan.

However, a penalty corner was awarded to India in theseventh minute which was converted brilliantly by Nilam Sanjeep to help theteam take a 2-0 lead.

India continued to take the aggressive approach and Mandeepfound the back of the net with an excellent field goal in the ninth minute. Japantried to make inroads in the last few minutes of the first quarter as they wona penalty corner. Gurinder Singh positioned himself brilliantly and defendedthe shot on the goal line. India led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

India continued their attacking game in the second quarterwith Jarmanpreet Singh taking a shot on goal, but putting it wide of the post.Captain Harmanpreet Singh had a shot on target, but the Japanese goalkeeperTakashi Yoshikawa pulled off a brilliant save.

Japan attacked the Indian defence in the the fourth quarterand scored their third goal through Kazuma Murata in the 52nd minute.

India were awarded a penalty corner with five minutes left on the clock, but the shot went wide off the post. India also saved a penalty corner in the dying minutes of the match.

The win put India in the second spot in the points table and they face toppers New Zealand in the summit clash on Wednesday.

Related Stories

No stories found.

No stories found.
sports>>sports/india-beat-japan-in-olympic-test-event
logo
Pratidin Time
www.pratidintime.com