BHUBANESWAR: Fans turned out in large numbers to watch the Indian hockey team take on Japan in the first of the four-match series. However, they were left disappointed with the showing of Sardar & Co as Japan held them to a 1-1 draw at Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.

Japan’s Daichi Kurogawa opened the scoring in the 19th minute while VR Raghunath equalized when he converted a penalty corner in the 44th minute. They will now play the second match of the four-match series on Tuesday.

After they won bronze at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup beating Australia 4-2, expectations ran high. But India were back to their inconsistent best against Japan. Poor defending, inadequate striking prowess, inability to win or convert penalty corners plagued the team.

India started well with a flurry of attacks early in the first quarter. They failed to score but did win the first penalty corner of the match. Rupinder Pal Singh, who was at times sloppy in defence, took the shot but hit wide.

Few minutes later, it was Japan who won their first penalty corner but the score remained goalless as PR Sreejesh kept out the shot with ease.

The world No. 16 team didn’t give up and started playing more attacking hockey in the second quarter. They finally achieved their target when Kurogawa put Japan ahead.