Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 11 (ANI): India stormed into the finals of the Asian Champions Trophy with a five-star efficiency towards Japan within the semi-finals on the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Friday.
After a nervy begin to the sport, the hosts slowly gained management of the sport. An early penalty nook gave India a possibility to go one in entrance. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s drag flick was met by Japan’s goalkeeper and so they replied with a swift counterattack to place the Blues in bother. The closing shot was a whisker away from the submit.
A minute later, ahead Shamsher Singh was proven a inexperienced card and he needed to sit out for the following two minutes. Both sides pressed laborious for a aim however the first quarter ended goalless.
The second quarter started in Japan’s favour as India made a mistake however Japan did not punish them. Akashdeep Singh made Japan pay by scoring the primary aim of the sport with a subject aim.
The Indian group smelled blood and so they pounced shortly to strike twice earlier than the halftime whistle. A drag flick from Harmanpreet obtained India their second aim of the sport, whereas an outstanding hit from Mandeep made the scoreline 3-0.
India got here out all weapons blazing to start the third quarter on a robust notice. Sumit made a magical run contained in the hanging circle to place the ball previous the keeper within the thirty ninth minute of the sport, to get the 4th aim.
Karthi Selvam made it 5 for India within the 51st minute after Sukhjeet Singh’s cross from contained in the circle.
India will face Malaysia within the closing of the Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday. (ANI)