In the current Asian Champions Trophy hockey competition in Chennai on Friday, the Indian hockey team wasted many scoring opportunities and was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Japan.
Ken Nagayoshi’s goal gave Japan the advantage in the 28th minute, while India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh’s goal from a penalty corner in the 43rd minute helped his team even the score.
India began the game by attacking, making for an interesting opening period.
However, despite some encouraging possession-based play and scoring opportunities, neither side was able to score. India got as many as seven penalty corners in the quarter but failed to effectively convert any of them, while Japan had a player replaced due to an injury.
Nothing distinguished the two teams in the first quarter despite Vivek Sagar Prasad receiving a yellow card in the eighth minute.
Before Jugraj Singh received a green card in the 27th minute, both sides continued to play with the same vigor in the next quarter.
Japan earned a penalty corner in the next minute, which Nagayoshi effectively scored to give his team the lead. Following the change of ends, India played both tenacious and technical hockey, as well as aerial balls.
The Indians ultimately managed to get a penalty corner in the 43rd minute, and Harmanpreet made no errors this time to flick it powerfully into the goal to tie the score. Japan’s defense remained relentless throughout.
Both sides shifted to offensive hockey in the last frame.
In the 55th minute, India was awarded a penalty corner; however, a successful video appeal from Japan caused the judgment to be overturned, and a minute later, Mandeep Singh was given a yellow card.
India might have used up to 15 corners as opposed to Japan’s two.
In their debut game on Thursday at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, India trounced China 7-2.
India will face Malaysia on Sunday after a day off, while Japan will play Pakistan the same day.
