Conceding two goals in the last five minutes, India lost the opportunity to beat Japan and finish third in the Humburg Masters, but ended up with a 4-4 draw and thus landed at the bottom of the rung.
India was sitting pretty with 4-2 score till 65th minute, but the spirited Japanese, who had earlier beaten Netherlands came out with a brace of goals to dash the dream of the continental colleague.
After japan equalized 2-2, India scored two goals in the space of two minutes, Sandeep Singh’s penalty corner conversion and a beauty of goal by Bharat Chikara, which gave a false impression that the Indians will stay there, and force their rival for a defeat. It was not to be, the last goal for the Japanese coming 48 seconds left in the clock.
Japan converts its sixth penalty corner in the 49th minute to equalize (2-2) Indian score. The PC was awarded when Ravi Pal Singh tripped a forward and also got himself cursed with a yellow card.
India leads Japan 2-1 at half time.
Amir Khan and Danish Mujtaba scored a goal apiece within first 16 minutes against Japan in the last match of the Humburg Masters today.
Japan converted a penalty corner, deflection from the first hitter, to post a goal in the 26th minute. Both teams got two penalty corners in the last two minutes, but goals were not coming out.
India got three Penalty Corners in the last minute, but could not convert any and changed sides with the slender lead.
Japan got four pcs in the first half, Sakamoto converted the third.