India defeats Japan 5-1 to finish fifth in the Kuantan Asia Cup. India scored three goals in the last six minutes

Tushar gave a cross from the right in the 2nd minute, of which Rajpal Singh scored the first goal.

15 minutes later Prabhjot gave a cross, but Rajal could not do the same which did earlier, leaving a easy chance to go up.

Substitute player Hariprasad earned India’s first penalty corner. Sandeep Singh flicked it towards the centre of the net to enlarge the lead in the 21st minute.

Sakamoto Hiroki knelt low to deflect a hit-in from left flank to reduce the margin in the 31st minute.

Japan held upper hand in exchange of passes and attack, and is maintaining the tempo against the defensive Indians.

In the second half, despite India playing a very pathetic game, and has been defending all along, made their victory sure when Tushar latched on to a pass from SV Sunil and hit reverse even as falling, to enlarge lead to 3-1. This 64th minutes goal was followed by Prabhjot Singh’s solo in the 66th minutes. Prabhjot who missed a couple of sitters after the lemon time, made amends by placing the ball to the right of onrushing goalkeeper. With just few seconds left in the clock, Tushar against made a reverse shot from near the same spot from where he earlier scored. The replay goal gave India a fashionable 5-1 victory.

Japan got a penalty corner in the 67th minute, but could not make a worthy shot as it was the case in the previous two penalty corners.

India played a very dull and drowsy game today, and the scoreboard is flattering.

This is first time India did not finsh within medals at the Asia Cup.