Azlan Shah Hockey: Now Canada topples Japan
Azlan Shah Hockey: Now Canada topples Japan
Asian Games champion Japan suffered yet another reverse as it went down fighting 1-2 to Canada in the 28th Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Ipoh on Tuesday. The two teams were tied 1-1 at half time.
This was Japan's third consecutive defeat in as many games while for Canada it was second win.
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Azlan Shah Hockey: Now Canada topples Japan[/caption]
In 10 games played between Japan and Canada, the former has won six and Canada, including today's 2-1 win.
Japan went into the game hoping for its first victory of the tournament as it had lost its opening game to India and the second game to Malaysia. But as luck was not with it, Japan could not come to terms with hard fighting Canadians, who after losing the opener to Malaysia, had convincingly beaten Poland in the second game.
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Azlan Shah Hockey: Now Canada topples Japan[/caption]
Canada started the game well. Playing to a strategy of keeping defence packed and looking for openings to work out its moves through fast moving forward line.
The first goal came from reliable midfielder Balraj Panesar in the 10th minute. The Canadian joy was shortlived, as Japanese restored p[arity a minute later through a brilliant goal by Ryosel Kato.
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When the teams broke for interval, the score was 1-1.
Both teams mixed caution with aggression in the second half. Though Canadians enjoyed little supremacy in attack, its efforts got rewarded in the 41st minute when James Kirkpatrick got past the entire Japanese defence to host the decisive goal. Though the Japanese tried desperately for the equaliser but luck was not on their side.
- PTC NEWS
