Bhubanewsar, May 6
After a drab draw in the opener, India beat Japan 2-0 in the second game of the four-match hockey Test series here today.

Yuvraj Walmiki and Dharamvir Singh scored for the home team.

The match had a cracking start where both teams came out attacking. Japan fired long passes into the Indian circle but the hosts defended well. India also created chances but failed to score as the first quarter ended goalless.

After long periods of patient play, in which India looked to breach an impressive Japanese defence, the hosts took the lead in the 27th minute through Walmiki.

India tried to build pressure on the opponent team in the third quarter, building some lovely moves, but Japan’s defence stood firm.

Much of the the Indian attack came from the right flank in the fourth quarter. One such move found the visitors off guard, as Ramandeep Singh, unmarked at D-top, found himself at the end of a cross from the right. His reverse-stick shot was saved by the goalkeeper, but the rebound was tapped in by Dharamvir in the 48th minute. The next match will played on May 7.