ACT hockey: India down Japan 5-1 for second straight win
Hindustan TimesHaving scored two goals in the first three minutes, it was evident that it was going to be a walk in the park for the Indian men’s hockey team in their Asian Champions Trophy match against Japan on Monday. Indian hockey team beat Japan 5-1 {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} A brace from Sukhjeet Singh and a goal apiece by Abhishek, Sanjay and Uttam Singh took the defending champions to their second straight win, a 5-1 hammering of Japan, after they defeated hosts China 3-0 a day earlier in Hulunbuir City, China. {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} India forwards doubled the lead the next minute when Abhishek dribbled past multiple Japanese defenders and rounded goalkeeper Takumi Kitagawa to score. {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} Returning from the 10-minute half-time break, India looked to keep up the momentum and played patiently to launch their first attack in the third quarter, but Japan did well to win the ball back. A structured attack finally helped them score a field goal when Matsumoto caught the Indian defenders napping as he pushed the ball past India goalie Krishan Bahadur Pathak.