Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey: India defeats Japan by 2-0
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament’s opening match on March 23 was between India and the Asian Games champion Japan. India clean swept the match by the score of 2-0 against Japan.
The defending player, Varun Kumar in the 24th minute of the match transformed a penalty corner into a goal. The second goal was scored by Manpreet Singh’s exceptional pass to Simranjeet Singh. Simranjeet then converted the pass into a goal in the 55th minute of the match.
Though the first quarter was tensed for both the teams. No team was able to score any goal. In the second quarter, India took the much-needed lead with Varun making no mistake in reforming the penalty in a goal.
Though Indian hockey men were able to create many scoring chances but were not able to cross the line each time.
In the third quarter, Japan got a penalty corner but Indian keeper PR Sreejesh was able to save it from converting into a goal. With two minutes left for the third quarter, Japanese striker Kenji Kitazato took a daring shot but missed the goal.
Within a few minutes of the fourth quarter, India earned another penalty corner. Though Varun missed the shot this time giving chance to Japan to counter-attack, Birendra Lakra’s attentiveness saved the team.
The next matches in the league are against Korea, Malaysia and Poland. The top two teams from the league stage will be playing finals on March 30.
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