University of Waikato 4-nation hockey Tournament: India beats Japan 4-2
Two goals in a minute helped India to keep its slate clean and record a resounding 4-2 win over Japan in the University of Waikato 4-nation Hockey Tournament in Hamilton on Saturday. This was India's third win from as many matches in the second leg of the tournament. India now plays the gold medal match tomorrow.
India, who had recorded a convincing 6-0 win over Japan in the first match of the first leg of the tournament, found Japanese a different side. Improving with every game, Japan, preparing its team for a possible qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games, had the match in suspense till 58th minute when Mandeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh stuck in quick succession to give India 4-2 win.
Matching their more experienced opponents in every department of the game, Japan conceded lead in the 12th minute when Vivek Prasad, who had scored two goals in the earlier match between the two teams, scored but fought back gallantly to draw level in the 14th minute.It was S. Tanaka who drew the first blood for Japan.
On the stroke of half time break, Varun Kumar scored to put India in lead again.
Eleven minutes into the third quarter S. Yamada surprised Indian defence and scored the equaliser.
Both Japan and India played aggressive hockey to break the 2-2 deadlock. Luck smiled on India as it scored two goals in the 58th minute to clinch the issue and remain the only unbeaten team in the second phase of the tournament.
