India thrashes Japan in 4-Nation hockey

Rupinder Pal Singh (7th minute), Vivek Sagar Prasad (12th and 28th), Dilpreet Singh (35th and 45th) and Harmanpreet Singh (41st) scored for India. The team made a dominant start to their campaign, controlling the ball rather swiftly, passing around neatly and quickly to penetrate the Japanese circle. 

India won their first penalty corner of the game in the seventh minute and it was young gun Harmanpreet Singh who stepped up to drag flick. His attempt though was blocked by the Japanese defender on the line, but since the obstruction came off his body, India was awarded a penalty stroke. 

Experienced drag flicker Rupinder Pal Singh broke no sweat in converting a stunning goal to fetch India a 1-0 early lead. 

India’s second goal came in the 12th minute when debutant Vivek Sagar Prasad was quick to pick up a rebound and fiercely strike the ball past the Japanese goal keeper earning India a 2-0 lead. The second quarter saw India defend its lead as it was unrelenting in creating pressure on Japan, pressing it high up constantly, rarely giving it an opportunity to enter India’s D. 

Meanwhile, Vivek Prasad found another excellent opportunity in the 28th minute to score, as the Indian attackers broke into the Japanese defence. Vivek was swift to receive an assist in the circle and put the ball in the goal within no time. The teams went into the half time break with India having a 3-0 lead.