India demolish Japan 7-2 in Junior WC play-off
14 Jun 2009

SINGAPORE: India went on a goal-scoring spree and thrashed Japan 7-2 in their first Pool G match of the ninth to 16th position play-off in the FIH Me
n’s Junior Hockey World Cup on Sunday.

Mandeep Antil (18th and 24th), Mohammad Amir Khan (52nd and 70th) and Victo Singh (58th and 62nd) scored two each while skipper Diwakar Ram (11th minute) also chipped in with a goal to give a India a resounding win.

For Japan, Harayuki Fujiyoshi (41st) and Kenta Tanata (65th) ensured some respectability to the scoreline at the Seng Kang Sports Complex here.

With this victory, India have three points in their kitty and will play Belgium on Monday. Belgium defeated England 2-0 in another Group G encounter earlier in the day at Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

India began the proceedings at a slow pace but soon accelerated to catch the Japanese defence on the wrong foot.

Diwakar opened the scoring with a crisp flick past Japanese goalkeeper Katsumi Ichikawa from India’s second penalty corner in the 11th minute.

India got two more penalty corners in quick succession and right winger Mandeep made no mistake in deflecting home both the chances through indirect shots.

The Indians could have increased their tally before the changeover but Ichikawa’s goalkeeping came to Japan’s rescue.

After the change of ends, Japan reduced the margin against the run of play with Fujiyoshi dodging past a host of Indian defenders and an off guard Indian goalkeeper Mrinal Choubey to score a brilliant field goal.

India, however, came back strongly and dictated the proceedings thereafter with some deft moves among their forwards. Amir Khan and Victo then broke the rival defence and scored two goals each.

Japan scored another consolation goal when Tanata pushed past substitute goalkeeper Harjit Singh in the 65th minute from a penalty stroke after Diwakar deliberately stick checked in the Indian circle.