Kolkata : India defeated Japan 5-1 at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, China on Monday. Sukhjeet Singh scored double goals (2′, 60′) & played a pivotal role in India’s win. India recorded 2nd consecutive victory after defeating host China in their 1st match just a day before.
The defending champion started off with Sukhjeet Singh’s goal in 1st Quarter. He made the right run and tucked the ball in after it took a deflection off a Japanese stick inside the circle.
Just less than a minute later, Abhishek doubled the lead. He collected the ball inside the circle, controlled it despite coming under pressure from Japanese players and slotted past the goalkeeper from a close range.
Sanjay tripled the lead via penalty corner. He came up with the drag flick to beat the goalkeeper and the defender on the line. The ball hit the defender and rolled into the goal.
Japan too opened their scoring soon after. Kazumasa Matsumoto made his run inside the box with the ball. His shot took a deflection and goalkeeper Krishan Pathak was wrongfooted as Japan pulled one back.
However, India didn’t give further chances to Japan as Uttam Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored 1 goals each to finish the match 5-1 & marching into top of the points table.
