Moqi [China], September 6 (ANI): The Indian junior hockey workforce confirmed super combating spirit to safe a 3-3 draw in opposition to Japan of their second Pool A encounter of the 2026 Men’s Junior Asia Cup in Moqi, China, on Sunday.
Fresh from their emphatic 14-0 victory over Indonesia of their opening Pool A match, India made a assured begin in opposition to Japan and took an early lead within the fourth minute. After India have been awarded a penalty stroke following a foul, Captain Anmol Ekka stepped up and calmly transformed to place India 1-0 forward.
India continued to construct strain and doubled their benefit within the tenth minute. After incomes a penalty nook, Ashu Maurya discovered the again of the web to present India a 2-0 lead.
Japan responded nearly instantly, profitable a penalty nook within the eleventh minute. Ryushin Sasaki transformed the chance to tug one purpose again and make it 2-1.
There have been no additional objectives within the opening quarter, with India taking their one-goal benefit into the second interval.
Both groups continued to push ahead within the second quarter, with India trying to lengthen their lead and Japan trying to find the equaliser. The contest remained tightly fought, with each defences holding agency. Neither facet was in a position to create the decisive opening, and India went into the half-time break main 2-1.
The third quarter adopted an analogous sample, with each groups battling onerous for management. Japan created some good alternatives and earned a penalty nook however have been unable to transform it, whereas India’s defence continued to guard their slender benefit.
The ultimate quarter noticed the depth rise as Japan pressed for an equaliser. Japan gained a penalty nook and, after a re-awarded penalty nook, Captain Kazuki Nakanishi transformed within the forty eighth minute to degree the rating at 2-2.
Japan continued to threaten within the closing levels and earned one other penalty nook within the ultimate 5 minutes. India defended the preliminary try nicely however have been unable to clear the ball, leading to one other penalty nook for Japan. This time, Japan’s flick went vast.
With simply 1:22 remaining on the clock, Japan gained one other penalty nook, and Nakanishi stepped up as soon as once more, discovering the goal with a flick within the 59th minute to place Japan forward 3-2.
India responded by eradicating their goalkeeper as they desperately looked for an equaliser. Their persistence was rewarded once they gained a penalty nook with simply 59 seconds remaining. Captain Anmol Ekka as soon as once more stepped up and transformed the chance to make it 3-3.
India held on within the ultimate seconds to safe a hard-fought level after an exhilarating contest in opposition to Japan.
The Indian junior males’s workforce will subsequent face Korea on September 8 of their third Pool A encounter of the 2026 Men’s Junior Asia Cup. (ANI)