Junior Asia Cup 2015: India win their opening match against Japan

Kuantan, 14th November 2015: Indian colts beat Japan 2-1 in their opening match of the Junior Men’s Asia Cup. The group stages being played from 14- 17 November will next see India in action against the host team Malaysia who were also victorious in their encounter against China earlier in the day.

The first half of the match began with Indian Captain Harjeet Singh being issued a yellow card in the first minute of the match which led to India being reduced to 10 men momentarily. Japan scored the first goal 8 minutes before the end of the first half converting a penalty corner to their favour.

India soon levelled the score at 1-1 through a penalty corner that saw Harmanpreet Singh scoring his first goal of the tournament at 28th minute. The end of the first half saw Japan again being awarded a penalty corner but it was saved efficiently by Suraj Karkera, Indian Goalkeeper.

The second half began with the Indian colts pressing hard on the Japanese team. Their hard work saw results through a penalty corner that was converted again to a goal by Harmanpreet Singh, giving India the much needed lead in the match 2-1 at 40th minute.

Thereafter India controlled the game rarely allowing the Japanese forwards to make way.

Coach, Harendra Singh said, “We have been working pretty hard on our attack and defence and we feel that it has really paid off. The hard work in the camp back home has helped us counter the Japanese speed and we managed to gain our first win. The boys played really well and Harmanpreet’s brace will do him a world of confidence.”

The 8th Junior Asia Cup will be played from the 14th – 22nd November 2015 at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan, Malaysia. One of the elite Asian tournaments, the 8th Junior Asia Cup will see eight Asian hockey teams- India, China, Japan and Malaysia in Pool A and Korea, Oman, Pakistan and Bangladesh in Pool B.