Indian hockey team bounced back hard in second test to record a thumping 2-0 win over Asian neighbors Japan on Monday. They looked at utmost comfort right from the first quarter, producing regular attacks and breaking Japanese defense from both flanks.
In the second quarter, India went on the counter-attack with Yuvraj making a brilliant run inside the circle and passing it to Uthappa who had no trouble in sounding the board with three minutes left for the first-half. They carried the same momentum in the third quarter and it did’nt take long for midfielder Dharamvir Singh to break the shackles and make it 2-0. This also helped them take lead in the four match test series.
But much to everyone’s delight, skipper Sardar Singh looked in full flow on Monday moving around nicely through the turf. He was a live wire on the field covering the centre midfield and making good use of space to combine with Yuvraj and Ramandeep Singh towards the end.
The Arjuna Awardee, shown his magical touch of brilliance which in past has always been his strength. Forming good one-to-one combination with strikers. It resulted in Indians taking the upper hand in the game with the flurry of attacks from both the flanks.
Coach Paul Van’s tactics to play Sardar in the centre midfield and carrying the game alongside him has shown good dividends in the second game. The skipper was right on the money playing self-less hockey and creating chances for fellow team-mates.
Though India would be disappointed they couldn’t find the net more with as many chances going down. Nonetheless Indian think tank would be happy with their performance and look to take the same momentum in the third test on Thursday.