Team Blitz India
CHENNAI: A dominant India mauled reigning Asian champions Japan 5-0 to enter the Asian Champions Trophy hockey final at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on August 11 night.
While three-time champions India adopted a high-press hockey from the onset, Japan played deep into their defence to thwart the home team’s attacks.
India got the first scoring chance of the match in the form of a penalty corner but Japan goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa made a confident save to deny home team skipper Harmanpreet Singh
The Indians set pace of the game and enjoyed bulk of the possession, while Japan played catch-up hockey.
After a barren first quarter, India finally took the lead in the 19th minute through Akashdeep Singh, who slapped the ball in from a rebound from after Hardik Singh’s initial shot was saved by Japan second goalkeeper Takumi Kitagawa.