On Friday, India and Japan played out a high-quality draw in their second fixture of the Asian Champions Trophy at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
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The two sides came into the game in contrasting form. India had managed a comprehensive victory in their first game, beating China 7-2 while Japan had suffered a 2-1 defeat to defending champions South Korea.
A hard fought match sees India comeback from behind to level the score against Japan.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 4, 2023
We can only move forward from here 💪#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #HACT2023 pic.twitter.com/kWCTtCeagF
How did India and Japan play in their Asian Champions Trophy match?
India dominated possession in the early stages, winning a total of eight penalty corners in the first quarter alone. However, they failed to convert any of them as the Japanese side stood firm and defended well.
Towards the end of the second quarter, however, Japan managed to create the breakthrough with a penalty corner of their own. The ball was dragged back to Ken Nagayoshi who managed to slot it into the corner, between the legs of Varun Kumar on the line.
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India eventually made the pressure from their penalty corners pay, when captain Harmanpreet Singh nutmegged keeper Takashi Yoshikawa to draw India level on 43 minutes.
India pushed forward in the last quarter but after Mandeep Singh was sent off with three minutes to play, opted to sit back and play out time to earn a draw by which they may not have been entirely satisfied.
“ We are playing our system at the moment but we are failing to finish it.
— Pritish Raj (@befikramusafir) August 4, 2023
I think we will go back and assess it on our rest day. We will comeback.”
Indian hockey team coach Craig Fulton after the draw against Japan in Asian Champions Trophy.#HACT2023 #HockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/rxZfoCRz2z
What next for India and Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy?
Saturday, 5 August is a rest day for all teams. On Sunday, India will take on Malaysia while Japan will play Pakistan. The third fixture will see China face off against South Korea.
How to watch the Asian Champions Trophy?
All of India's matches in the Asian Champions Trophy will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network. They will also be available to stream online, via Fancode.
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