BHUBANESWAR: Akashdeep Singh struck twice as India completed a dominating 4-0 win over Japan in the last and fourth match to clinch the hockey Test series 3-0 on Saturday.
Apart from Akashdeep, VR Raghunath and Dharamvir Singh scored India even as no goal was scored in the first quarter of the game.
Halfway into the first quarter, Japan had a real chance as Daichi Kurogawa passed the ball to Ippei Fujimoto in the D, put the later missed the target and losing out on the opportunity score the initial goal.
Seconds left into the game Yuvraj Walmiki slapped the ball into the D to SV Sunil but unfortunately for India Sunil could not connect and lost the opportunity, resulting in the quarter being a dry run.
Halfway into the second quarter India had their first chance on penalty corner but unfortunately for India, Rupinder Pal Singh hit off target resulting in missing out on the crucial opportunity.
In the 26th minute, India had their second chance on the penalty corner but this time Raghunath took the flick and he committed no mistake in finding the nets, giving India 1-0 lead. Next minute India broke the shackles of the defence again and Akashdeep Singh scored a brilliant field goal to make the scoreline 2-0.
The third quarter started again in India’s favour as they maintain the attack and the pressure on Japan. In the 36th minute India added the third goal when SV Sunil passed the ball to Dharamvir Singh who entered the D with the ball and slapped it past the goalkeeper giving no chance to the opponents to react.
Post that Japan had yet another chance to score as Hiroki Sakamoto slapped the ball but Sreejesh saved yet again for India.
Immediately into the last quarter, Japan had their first chance on the penalty corner and a chance to score their first goal but unfortunately the ball was hit wide of the goal.
After that India upped the ante of their attack and was seen completely dominating the match thereon. In the 52nd minute, India had another chance as Ramandeep Singh had a clear chance to put the ball into the nets but unfortunately he hit directly at the Japan goalie and losing on converting.
The very next minute India yet again Akashdeep tore past the defence of the opponents and beat the goalkeeper and scored a brilliant field goal.