India blank Asiad champs Japan 2-0 in Azlan hockey opener

Ipoh, March 23

India defeated Asian Games champion Japan 2-0 to start their campaign at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament on a positive note. 

Varun Kumar converted a penalty corner in the 24th minute to hand India the lead before Simranjeet Singh (55th min) scored a diving field goal from skipper Manpreet Singh’s brilliant pass to secure full three points for the five-time champions.

Eight minutes into the second quarter, India won a penalty corner and Varun made no mistake in finding the back of the net with a powerful dragflick. With four minutes remaining for the second hooter, Mandeep Singh missed the target by a whisker after being set up by a pass from Sumit Kumar (Junior). 

In the third quarter, Japan secured their first penalty corner in the 33rd minute but India custodian PR Sreejesh did well to thwart the danger. With two minutes remaining for the third hooter, Japanese striker Kenji Kitazato took a brave shot on goal but missed the post by a big margin. 

India earned a penalty corner within minutes of the start of the fourth quarter. But this time Varun missed the mark, allowing Japan to launch a quick counter-attack, which was kept at bay by Birendra Lakra’s alertness. 

Simranjeet strikes

Japan removed their goalkeeper to add an extra man in the 55th minute but the tactic backfired with India making use of the opportunity to double their lead. It was a diving effort by Simranjeet that put India 2-0 ahead. With just two minutes remaining, Japan secured another penalty corner but the attempt was well-defended by Surender Kumar, backed by goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, who replaced Sreejesh after half-time. — PTI 

India 2-0 Japan 

• Varun Kumar (24th min), Simranjeet Singh (55th min)
• S Korea 6-3 Canada 
• Malaysia 5-1 Poland

India fixtures 

• March 24: India vs S Korea 
• March 26: India vs Malaysia 
• March 27: India vs Canada 
• March 29: India vs Poland 

The top two teams from the round robin league stage will play in the final on March 30