The Tribune: Colts thrash Japan to set up final with Pakistan

Kuantan (Malaysia)

India walloped Japan 6-1 to enter the final of the 8th Junior Men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament.

The semifinal victory was India’s second against Japan in the tournament, having beaten them in the league stage. Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace to take his tournament tally to 10. Mandeep Singh, Manpreet Singh Jr, Vikramjit Singh and Varun Kumar scored one goal apiece. For Japan, Yamada Shota scored the lone goal.

In Sunday’s final, India will meet arch-rivals Pakistan, who beat Korea 8-7 in a shootout.

India started the first half with their usual flair and attacking display as Mandeep opened the account in the 12th minute.

Manpreet increased the tally within a minute. India did not look back after this and continued with their goal fest as Harmanpreet scored from a penalty corner. Vikramjit scored a field goal in the 27th minute. Japan started the second half with an attacking intent and were rewarded with a penalty corner which was converted by Shota. India struck back in the 48th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet. The margin was increased when Varun converted another penalty corner. “The boys played really well making it a great day for us in the tournament. We are one step away from winning the tournament and this is the time when we all need to keep calm. The team is hungry for more. We will take the next match as a normal game and focus on putting up a good show,” said coach Harendra Singh.