India won the Asian Championship trophy, hockey match by Japan in semi-finals. The match was led by Harmanpreet, India Beats Japan by 5-0 to enter final.
Semi-Final was held in Chennai on August 11th, 2024, at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. Akashdeep Singh opened the scoring after a goalless first quarter of the game, in second quarter to make it 1-0 for India in 19th minute. Before the half-time Harmanpreet and Mandeep Managed and made 3-0 for the homes side team.
To extend the lead India’s lead by 4-0 Sumit scored it in third quarter, before winning the victory for India which was scored by Selvam Karthi in the final quarter to seal the win 5-0 for India.
By dominating the hockey match and winning against Japan in semi-final, India enters their fourth final for the Asian Championship Trophy Hockey Tournament, on Friday.
Japan played very well and played deep in their defense to save their home team attacks. Whereas Indian hockey team has been three times champions, who managed to high press hockey onset.
The game was totally dominated by Indians as they found the back of the net 5 times through their players, skipper Harmanpreet Singh (23rd), Akashdeep Singh (19th minute), Mandeep Singh (30th), Sumit (39th) and the last one to score the victory was Karthi Selvam (51st).
India will now play in the final against Malaysia, which will be held on Saturday. Host has blanked 5-0 for them in round Robin stage, while Japan will be locking their horns against the title holders South Korea in the 3rd – 4th place play-off match.
As the Indian’s completely dominated the game from the start to the finish of the game. They also proved that their 1-1 draw against Japan was just an aberration. At first during the opening quarter the attaching intents was seen from both the sides.
While the penalty corners were won by the hosts in couple of minutes into the games. Drag-flick by Harmanpreet was denied by Takashi Yoshikawa, Japanese goalkeeper.
India failed to find the net when they had three more attempts in the first quarter of the game. In the eighth minute Japanese top came close to scoring, but to no avail.
While Japan played catch-up hockey, Indians set the pace of the match very well and enjoyed the possession of the game.
The first quarter of the game was a barren for Indians, then they finally took the lead in 19th minute through Akashdeep Singh. He slapped the ball in rebound after Hardik Singh’s shot was saved by Takumi Kitagawa, Japan’s second goalkeeper.
With a back stick flick, Sumit probably scored the goal of the tournament for India into the net from tight angle after being set up from the right flank by Manpreet’s hardworking.
Japan really tried their best to defend their team in the dying minutes to get a consolation goal, but the defense of Indian team stood tall to deny their opponents to win and registered a convincing win for themselves.
