Hockey Asia Cup 2022: Pawan, Manjeet score as India defeat Japan by 2-1 in Super 4s

India continue their bid to defend the title as they defeated Japan in the first match of Hockey Asia Cup Super 4s to register a clinical 2-1 win on Saturday evening in Jakarta.

Although Japan presented a more dominant show in the first 2 quarters, India overpowered them in the 2nd half of the game. Manjeet Singh provided an early lead to India with a solo goal in the first quarter but Japan’s Takuma Niwa, equalized it in the following quarter easily.

While both teams ended half-time at 1-1, a brilliant teamwork from Uttam Singh and Pawan Rajbhar helped India double the lead in the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Rajbhar’s goal made it a 2-1 lead for India in 3 quarters. The confident men in blue kept the Japanese players at bay in the final minutes of the game. With the win, the team now jumps to the top of the Super 4s with 3 points.

India will next face Malaysia on Sunday.

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