India's Harmanpreet singh (R) celebrates after scroring a goal during the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 hockey tournament semifinal match between India and Japan at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on August 11, 2023. (Photo by R. Satish BABU / AFP)
CHENNAI: India stormed into the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 final after thrashing Japan 5-0 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Friday. India, who are unbeaten in the tournament, will face Malaysia in the summit clash on August 12.
The three-time winners India stormed into the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 final after thrashing Japan 5-0 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Friday. India, who are unbeaten in the tournament, will face Malaysia in the summit clash on August 12.
In an electrifying semi-final match between India and Japan, the game displayed some incredibly skillful plays and exciting strategies from both sides. In what started as a seemingly equal match, India soon superseded Japan in the most engaging way possible.
The dominants Indians set pace of the game and enjoyed bulk of the possession, while Japan played catch-up hockey.
India, however, matches stick to stick and man to man in the first 15 minutes a lively Japanese side even had several chances to take the lead.
But the Indians, the only unbeaten team in the tournament showed the home crowd that they are not only disciplined side but with filled super skilled players led by a superb Hamanpreet Singh.
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.
India kept up the tempo and earned their second penalty corner in the 23rd minute and India skipper Harmanpreet sounded the board with a fierce low flick to the left of Japanese goalie to double India's lead.
Just at the stroke of half-time, India trippled their lead through Mandeep Singh.
It was Manpreet Singh who was instrumental in getting the third goal as he intercepted the ball in the mid-field and then beat three Japanese defenders to set it up for Mandeep, who just had to direct the ball in.
The trend continued after the change of ends as India continued to press hard on the Japanese goal.
Sumit probably scored the goal of the tournament with a back stick flick into the net from a tight angle after being brilliantly set up by Manpreet hardwork from the right flank.
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Young Karthi Selvam made it 5-0 in India's favour in the 51st minute after being fed by an unselfish Sukhjeet Singh, who received a perfect ariel ball from Harmanpreet.
India will take on Malaysia in the final on Saturday, while Japan will be up against defending champions South Korea in the third-fourth place play-off match.
Malaysia also provided a superb show for the Indians fans. Nicknamed the speedy Tigers, the Malaysian ran rings over the defending champions before going home with a 6-2 victory over the South Koreans. It was their biggest victory over the Koreans. - Agencies
