Chennai: In a spectacular display of skill and teamwork, the Indian men’s hockey team secured their spot in the Asian Champions Trophy final by defeating Japan with a resounding 5-0 victory in the semi-finals. The match, held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai, showcased the dominance of the three-time champions as they sailed past Japan to set up a final clash against Malaysia.
The Indian team, driven by their determination to claim the championship title, exhibited their prowess from the very beginning. The game witnessed a relentless pursuit of goals from India, which left the Japanese defense struggling to keep up. The first quarter began with India asserting their authority with a penalty corner, though Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick was thwarted by Japanese goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa.
Undeterred by the early setback, India’s aggressive approach paid off in the 19th minute when Akashdeep Singh capitalised on a collective build-up initiated by former captain Manpreet Singh. This electrifying goal set the tone for the match, giving India the lead they deserved.
Harmanpreet Singh, a standout player throughout the tournament, continued to shine as he extended India’s lead just four minutes later. His exceptional low drag-flick added to his already impressive goal tally, marking his eighth goal of the championship.
Japan, visibly stunned by the quick succession of goals, struggled to regain their footing as India’s intensity remained unwavering. India’s relentless pursuit of dominance resulted in a third goal just before halftime, courtesy of a combination of a blistering solo run from Manpreet Singh and a well-placed finish by Mandeep Singh.
The first half statistics underscored India’s superiority, with 13 circle penetrations compared to Japan’s five, along with two earned penalty corners.
The second half saw no respite for Japan as India continued to dictate the pace of the game. Manpreet Singh, a driving force for the Indian attack, contributed once again, this time setting up Sumit for India’s fourth goal. The flawless execution of this play exemplified India’s coordination and technical prowess.
The final blow came in the 51st minute when Karthi Selvam added India’s fifth goal, securing their decisive victory. Sukhjeet Singh’s well-timed pass from within the circle was converted expertly by Selvam, further solidifying India’s lead.
The Indian team’s commendable performance was complemented by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who was honored by Hockey India for his 300th international match. This gesture added a touch of celebration to an already triumphant day for Indian hockey.
With this impressive victory, India has secured their place in the tournament’s final against Malaysia, scheduled to take place on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Malaysia, in their first-ever final appearance, earned their spot by defeating the Republic of Korea 6-2 earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Japan and Korea will battle for the bronze medal in a match scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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