Indian Men\'s Hockey Team Wins Asian Games Gold, Qualifies for Paris Olympics
Deccan ChronicleHangzhou: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh led admirably as the Indian men's hockey team mauled defending champions Japan 5-1 to reclaim the Asian Games gold, their fourth in the continental showpiece, after nine years and qualify for next year's Paris Olympics here on Friday.The Indians, who had to be content with a bronze medal in the last edition in Jakarta, thus won their fourth Asian Games gold and first since the 2014 Incheon edition. Two minutes into the second quarter, India earned another penalty corner but the variation didn't work as Rohidas's flick went over the post. Two minutes into the second half, India secured three consecutive penalty corners and this time Harmanpreet was bang on target with the final attempt, sounding the board with a powerful drag-flick to the left of Kitagawa's extend left leg. Minutes later, Rohidas tripled India's lead, finding the net with a powerful high flick that beat Japan goalkeeper Kitagawa all ends up.