Asian Hockey Champions Trophy: India in the final for the fifth time after defeating Japan, will clash with Malaysia for the title

india vs japan hockey
Photo: Hockey India/X

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India entered the final of the Asian Champions Trophy Hockey for the fifth time. They thrashed Japan 5-0 in the second semi-final on Friday at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. In Saturday’s final, it will face Malaysia, who defeated Korea 6-2 in the first semi-final to reach the final for the first time in the tournament’s history. Three-time champions India will be eyeing their fourth title on Saturday.

The Indian team also avenged their 3-5 defeat at the hands of Japan in the semi-finals of the 2021 edition by winning over Japan. Akashdeep Singh (19), Harmanpreet Singh (23), Mandeep Singh (30), Sumit (39) and Karthi Selvam (51 minutes) scored for India. The highlight of the victory was the four field goals scored without reliance on penalty corners. Pakistan defeated China 6-1 to secure the fifth position.

India was leading 3-0 at the interval

India were awarded a penalty corner in the second minute of the game, but Harmanpreet’s drag flick was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Yoshikawa. Both the teams could not score any goal in the first quarter, but in the second quarter, the Indian team came out with a changed strategy. Sumit and Hardik Singh attacked from the right end in the 19th minute. Hardik took a shot at goal, but the ball hit Yoshikawa’s pads and reached Akashdeep, who sent the ball into the goal. Four minutes later, India got their second penalty corner. Here Harmanpreet scored by tricking Yoshikawa. Just before the end of the second quarter, Manpreet, the player of the match, dribbled beautifully and hit the top of the D with a sharp hit on the face of the goal, which was headed by Mandeep. India were leading 3-0 at the interval.

Sumit and Karti also scored goals

The Indian team remained on the attack in the third quarter as well. Manpreet once again scored in the 39th minute. He passes it to Sumit inside D from the right end. He scored through a reverse flick that dodged two defenders. In the last quarter, local hero Karthi Selvam scored the fifth goal for the team in a jugalbandi with Sukhjeet. India got only two penalty corners in the entire match.

Sreejesh played 300th international match

Indian team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh achieved a unique feat by playing 300th international match for the country. He was felicitated by FIH President Tayyab Ikram.

malaysia beat korea badly

Najmi Azlan (9, 21 minutes) and Shelo Silverius (47, 48 minutes) scored two goals each in Malaysia’s 6-2 win over Korea. Azari Akmal (3), Faizal Saari (19th minute) scored the other two goals for Malaysia, while Cheon Ji Woo (1) and Jang Jonghyun (14th minute) scored for Korea. Malaysia is playing in this tournament for the sixth time and in the last five occasions it has finished third on each occasion.