Hulunbuir, China — India’s juggernaut in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament shows no signs of slowing down. In a display of clinical finishing and tactical resilience, the five-time champions dismantled Japan 4-1 on Friday, securing their third consecutive victory and cementing their position as the team to beat in this prestigious continental competition.
While the final scoreline suggests a comfortable outing, the reality was a grit-and-grind contest. Abhishek Nain, marking his 150th international appearance in spectacular fashion, led the charge with a brace, while captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnukant Singh provided the finishing touches to a dominant second-half surge.
## Abhishek gives India the lead, Japan hit back
The match began with Japan displaying surprising aggression, forcing the Indian defense onto the back foot almost immediately. With Mandeep Singh sidelined for the fixture, India’s forward line struggled initially to find its rhythm. Vice-captain Hardik Singh was the standout presence in the midfield, working tirelessly to bridge the gap between defense and attack as Japan’s high-pressing game clogged the center of the pitch.
Despite the early pressure from Japan—who forced a penalty corner as early as the second minute—it was India that drew first blood. In the 11th minute, Hardik ignited a transition play, threading a precise pass to Sukhjeet Singh. Sukhjeet, showing excellent vision, offloaded to Abhishek, who clinicaly guided the ball into the net to break the deadlock.
Japan’s response was immediate and physical. They pinned India inside their own half, eventually forcing a penalty stroke in the dying seconds of the first quarter after an infraction by defender Sanjay. Shota Yamada stepped up to the spot and calmly flicked the ball past Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera to level the scores at 1-1, capping a tense and evenly matched opening period.
## Japan’s defence keeps India quiet
The second quarter turned into a tactical chess match. Japan’s disciplined man-to-man marking left the Indian attackers with minimal breathing room. For the first time in the tournament, India found themselves suffocated, failing to earn a single penalty corner throughout the entire first half.
The intensity remained high after the break. Three minutes into the third quarter, Hardik carved open the Japanese defense with a brilliant ball into the circle, but Sukhjeet’s resultant shot soared over the crossbar. Japan, refusing to roll over, countered with ferocity, earning their fourth penalty corner in the 36th minute. Captain Raiki Fujishima’s flick, however, lacked the necessary precision, sailing over the post to keep the scoreboard stagnant.
As the game approached the final break, the pressure mounted. India nearly found a breakthrough when Amit Rohidas launched a defense-splitting pass to Shilanand Lakra, but Japanese goalkeeper Takumi Kitagawa pulled off a sensational save to keep his side in the hunt.
## Harmanpreet, Abhishek and Vishnukant seal India’s win
With the match delicately poised at 1-1 heading into the final 15 minutes, India finally shifted gears, moving from a patient buildup to an overwhelming, high-tempo offensive.
The breakthrough came in the 46th minute when India secured their first penalty corner of the entire match. Captain Harmanpreet Singh, ever the reliable talisman, stepped up and delivered a ferocious low flick that bypassed the Japanese defense to reclaim the lead for his team.
The goal served as the turning point. With the pressure of the deadlock lifted, India’s forwards began to dismantle the tiring Japanese defensive line. In the 51st minute, Abhishek struck again. Capitalizing on a fluid attacking move, he found the target for the second time, effectively putting the game out of reach at 3-1.
The final blow came in the 56th minute. Harmanpreet transitioned from goal-scorer to playmaker, launching a majestic, inch-perfect aerial pass deep into the Japanese territory. Vishnukant Singh collected the ball and finished with poise to round off a dominant 4-1 performance.
The victory serves as a testament to the depth and mental fortitude of the Indian squad. Following their commanding 13-0 rout of Bangladesh and a 5-2 victory over China, this win against a spirited Japanese side proves that India is hitting their peak at the right time.
Looking ahead, the Asian Games champions turn their focus to a Sunday clash against Malaysia. Given their previous 5-1 dominance over the Malaysians in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the Indian camp will be brimming with confidence as they look to maintain their perfect record in the tournament. For Japan, the focus now shifts to a must-win encounter against China, as they look to bounce back from this setback.
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