Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 hockey: India rally to defeat Japan 3-1

The Indian junior men’s hockey team registered a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Japan in their second Pool A game of the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman, on Thursday.

For India, Araijeet Singh Hundal (36’), Sharda Nand Tiwari (39’) and Uttam Singh (56’) were on target while Kumpei Yasuda (19’) scored for Japan. This was India's second win in as many games at the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023.  

The Indian junior men’s hockey team was on the attack from the get-go. Japan, however, managed to keep the Indian attackers at bay. Japan almost opened the scoring late in the first quarter but the Indian defence stood firm as the teams went into the break locked at 0-0.

Early in the next quarter, it was Japan who broke the deadlock, against the run of play. Kumpei Yasuda slotted it past the goalkeeper from the left. Keen to get an equaliser, India upped the ante and began to put the Japanese defence under pressure. However, the Japanese goalkeeper kept the Uttam Singh-led India from turning the game around. At the half-time break, Japan led 1-0.

After the interval, it was Japan who started out as the better team, keeping India in their own half. However, the Indian team rallied back, scoring the equaliser as Araijeet Singh Hundal rifled it home. Thereafter, India went on the offensive, and won a series of penalty corners, the last of which helped them storm into the lead. Sharda Nand Tiwari powered it into the top corner to put India ahead.  

In the final quarter, the Indian team started out on the front foot, eager to extend their lead. Midway into the quarter, India won a penalty corner and captain Uttam Singh scored to give his side a two-goal cushion. Japan looked to counterpunch quickly but the Indian defenders were resolute and eventually saw out the contest with a 3-1 scoreline.

India will next play Pakistan on May 27 before playing against Thailand in their last pool game on May 28.